People may know that they have a higher chance of developing diabetes if they are overweight, do not exercise, or have high blood pressure. People may also know that the odds of developing diabetes may also be related to race and ethnicity, or even nationality.
People are different, and there are many factors that affect health and whether you have diabetes, such as weight and age, whether you are active by nature, and how well you have other medical conditions. But studies do show that diabetes is more common in certain populations.
Speaking with data
In the United States, scientists have found that the incidence of diabetes also varies by ethnic group:
- Diabetes is more common among African-Americans and Asian-Americans compared to Caucasians.
- Diabetes prevalence varies by ethnic group.
Reasons for differences
Researchers are still exploring many of the factors that explain why diabetes is more common in certain races or ethnicities. But so far, they have studied some phenomena that can explain why the differences arise.
Body size
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes and needs to be taken seriously. However, the contribution of fat in body weight and the location of fat accumulation are equally important.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Asians have slightly more body fat than Caucasians of the same height and weight. Asians also accumulate more fat in the abdomen. This “deep” fat is more harmful than subcutaneous fat in the buttocks or thighs because it makes people more resistant to insulin, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable. This makes people more likely to develop diabetes.
Studies have shown that African Americans tend to have lower levels of potassium in their bodies than Caucasians. Potassium helps the body maintain proper fluid levels, and too little can increase the chances of developing diabetes. Also, African-Americans tend to have a better ability to produce insulin in their bodies than Caucasians.
Diabetes and lifestyle
Location and lifestyle are also important. The prevalence of diabetes is higher among Chinese-Americans than among those living in rural China. The same is true for Japanese Americans compared to Japanese. Researchers believe that part of the reason for the difference may be the high-fat, high-sugar Western-style diet.
One study found that among Mexican-American children, the more they embraced the typical American lifestyle, the higher the prevalence of diabetes tended to be. Researchers believe this phenomenon may be due to the fact that more and more children are eating more fast food and exercising less.
Individual genes
Most studies have found that genes play a relatively small role in diabetes risk for the differences that exist between races and ethnicities. The same habits and living conditions increase the odds of developing the disease in roughly the same way, regardless of background.
What to do?
No matter who you are, you can take steps to prevent or reduce your likelihood of developing diabetes.
- Exercise regularly and spend at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, getting moderate exercise.
- Beware of the disease coming from your mouth. Reduce your intake of sugar, saturated fat, and salt. Eat more leafy vegetables, whole grains, salmon, and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Keep your weight within a healthy range.
- Go to the hospital for regular medical checkups.
- Find the right cooking class, health education or support program to develop good habits.