The section of the country termed the diabetes belt is also the same area often called the bible belt. People in these areas more prone "to leave things in God's hands" and not worry too much about personal efforts.
I have had diabetes more than fifty years, which destroyed my kidneys and resulted in dialysis, but I have been able to avoid most effects of diabetes by walking a lot and watching my diet, and just recently by taking insulin for the first time. I am 87 years old and had a father who was a type 2 diabetic
Russof OH8:40PM March 09, 2011
The article mentions that Type 2 diabetes runs in families, but fails to mention that many of those families are black. African-Americans have a greater genetic predisposition to diabetes than the population as a whole, regardless of whether they eat well or exercise regularly, and the southeastern United States has a rather large African-American population.
This is no more an issue of racism or culture than the observation that African-Americans are more prone to sickle cell anemia, or Ashkenazi Jews more prone to Tay-Sachs disease, or multiple sclerosis more common in northern Europeans.
This isn't to say that exercise and diet don't matter; they clearly matter a great deal. But the article doesn't give the numbers needed to reach any firm conclusion on whether the higher incidence in the Southeast is a cultural phenomenon (bad eating and exercise habits) or a demographic phenomenon (large population with a genetic susceptibility.)
I should that I'm not from the South. I'm from the West, and am only bemused by Yankees and rednecks who seem to want to go on fighting the badly-misnamed Civil War.
Vaderof NM12:34PM March 09, 2011
What is the economic burden of diabetes? Proper mgmt and control could save 49,000 lives and $196 million annually. http://www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=2699
Jeremy Engdahl-Johnsonof NY12:11AM March 09, 2011
Not only do they consume more federal dollars than they contribute (even though they cry about govt spending duh) but now we have to spend more for their healthcare. Maybe we should have let them susceded!
Daveof CA8:26PM March 08, 2011
The women folks here are also less likely to breastfeed. Lots of medical studies have proven breastfeeding reduces the chance of mother contracting diabetes.
Ruth11:08AM March 08, 2011
There are multiple factors that go into the lifestyles of these people. It's unfortunate that levels of diabetes, overweight and obesity are getting as high as they are, but instead of making fun of these people or calling them ignorant. Why not do something about it. I am an exercise physiologist and see many of these people on a daily basis. The fact is they don't know and need help understanding what it is they need to do. www.fitnesscorner1.blogspot.com
Douglas Gof NC10:08AM March 08, 2011
Really, States where the population is generally very undereducated and where fried foods are very prevalent as well as having high rates of obesity has highest diabetes rates in the nation. This also just in 2 + 2 = 4.
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Russ of OH 8:40PM March 09, 2011
Vader of NM 12:34PM March 09, 2011
Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson of NY 12:11AM March 09, 2011
Dave of CA 8:26PM March 08, 2011
Ruth 11:08AM March 08, 2011
Douglas G of NC 10:08AM March 08, 2011
Shane of TX 9:48AM March 08, 2011
Richard of NC 9:29AM March 08, 2011