Results of a study that used telephone surveys in 43 states and that participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between the years 1990 and 1998 revealed that the prevalence of diabetes increased from 4.9% in 1990 to 6.5% in 1998—an increase of 33%. The 6.5% represents 12 million people in the participating states and 13 million in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
With respect to men and women, prevalence of diabetes among men was 5.5% and for women it was 7.4%. After adjustments for age and race, the percentages were 7.8% and 9% for men and women, respectively.
The age-sex-race standardized prevalence of diabetes was reported to be 4.9% in 1990 and, according to this study, it increased by 20%, to 5.9%, in 1998. Weight also increased in both sexes during the study period.
Other findings included a 76% increase in the prevalence of diabetes in people aged 30 to 39 years; a 64% increase in people with some college education; a 52% increase in former smokers; and a 47% increase in people with at least a college degree. In addition, increases in prevalence were observed in 35 of the 43 participating states.
Finally, there was an approximately 9% increase in diabetes for every self-reported kilogram of weight gained. The investigators speculate that “this large difference in added risk [for diabetes] imparted by an increase in weight of 1 kg may be explained by the rapid increase in obesity prevalence in the United States.”
Mokdad AH, et al. Diabetes Care. 2000;23:1278-1283.