More then two million Canadians currently have diabetes and the number is expected to rise to three million by 2010. The world Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2025 over 300 million people globally will suffer from diabetes. Diabetes leads to many complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and erectile dysfunction; as well, it is the leading cause of amputations and blindness in North America. Type I diabetes (or child-onset) is when the body produces too little or no insulin and is prevalent in about 10% of the Canadian population. Not much can be done to prevent the onset of Type I diabetes; however a proper diet, medication and physical activity can help control the disease and prolong life expectancy. Type II diabetes (or adult onset) is when your body is not producing enough insulin or does not use the insulin it produces and generally occurs in overweight individuals and people over the age of 40. The number of people with Type II diabetes is gradually increasing. This increase is due to an aging population, the prevalence of obesity in adults and children and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. The onset of Type II diabetes can be prevented or delayed through proper nutrition, not smoking, stress reduction, weight management and physical activity.
For more information please check out the Canadian Diabetes Association Website: http://www.diabetes.ca/
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