Ethnicity and diabetes
Ethnicity and diabetes
Ethnicity is The Most Critical Risk Factor for Developing Diabetes.
Global studies on ethnic groups and the incidence of diabetes have revealed that ethnicity can increase or decrease one’s
risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes is up to 6 times more likely in people of South Asian descent (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)
12% of adult Chinese are already diabetic, and an additional 50 percent are pre-diabetic.
Diabetes is up to 3 times more likely in African and African-Caribbean people.
Studies show the prevalence of diabetes was 13.4 percent in Black men and 12.7 percent in Black women,
In North America, more than 15 % of indigenous peoples suffer from Diabetes.
Genetics
Genes are thought to play a big part in increasing the risk of diabetes.
Genes can affect the ability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin. It may also affect the body’s ability to respond to insulin making people more susceptible to diabetes
Abdominal obesity is strongly associated with diabetes and people of these ethnic backgrounds are known to be more likely to have excess fat stored around the abdomen.
Lifestyle
One of the biggest risk factors for diabetes is an unhealthy diet. In terms of diet, traditional foods high in sugar and fat combined with western “fast foods” combined with low physical activity are thought to be a major factor behind the high rates of obesity.
- Physical Inactivity and Sedentary
- Exercise is one of the most effective ways to increase blood circulation, lower glucose levels, relieve stress, and strengthen the heart.
- Unhealthy Diet
Obesity
Dietary practices, a sedentary lifestyle, medications, and physical ailments can have an impact on an individual’s weight. However, even being slightly overweight can drastically increase the risk of developing diabetes.
Stress
Both mental and physical stress can raise blood glucose levels and increase the risk of diabetes. When an individual is stressed, their body adopts a "fight or flight" response. That means it will make sure you have enough sugar and fat available for energy.
Smoking
The use of tobacco products can have a major impact on the cardiovascular system, which is one of the reasons smokers have higher rates of diabetes. Diabetes can be prevented or delayed, but only if people know you are at risk and take action for your health and wellness. This will include increasing physical activity, and eating a diet that contains more fiber and proteins. and fewer sugars and fats.
