China (116 million), India (77 million), and the U.S.A. (31 million) have the highest numbers of people living with diabetes. $727 billion is estimated to be the estimated global health expenditure on diabetes (2017 figures)
Diabetes is among the top 10 causes of death in adults. In 2017, the disease was the cause of 4 million deaths. Just under half a billion people are living with diabetes worldwide. This number is projected to increase by 25% in 2030 and 51% in 2045. (Saeedi et al., 2019)
Obesity is one of the key risk factors for diabetes. 36.47% of Americans are obese. You can see the 2016 rankings in the link below.
https://data.worldobesity.org/rankings/
Let me also share with you the country-wise diabetes incidence data.
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.DIAB.ZS
Obesity is not the only risk factor for diabetes. Multiple risk factors like overweight or obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, enhanced cholesterol levels, smoking, gene dysfunction can cause diabetes. Racial factors also have been found to strengthen risk. (Feskens et al., 1989; Choi et al., 2001; Salman. I et al., 2013; Knowler et al.,1990)
Other risk factors identified are – strong family history of diabetes, age, obesity, and physical inactivity. (Fletcher et al., 2002)
Obesity and body fat distribution are risk factors for both cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Disturbed liver function and increased levels of lactate are prime risk factors. These serve as indicators of the body’s impaired ability to metabolize glucose. (Ohlson et al., 1988)
Based on the above brief facts, we can safely conclude that Americans are more likely to contract diabetes when compared to people from other parts of the world.
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