Diabetes is a common chronic medical condition caused by increased blood sugar (glucose) levels. There are two types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes, also known as “juvenile” or “insulin-dependent” diabetes, occurs when the pancreas, the organ that processes glucose, does not produce enough insulin, the hormone that helps metabolize glucose. Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood and requires insulin treatment throughout life.
Type 2 diabetes is also called “adult-onset” diabetes; yet, type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in children and is correlated with increasing rates of childhood obesity. A person with type 2 diabetes becomes insulin resistant or produces insulin, but is not able to appropriately metabolize glucose.1
Risk Factors
Obesity and physical inactivity are the most common causes of type 2 diabetes. Other risk factors include impaired glucose metabolism, history of gestational diabetes, older age and race/ethnicity. Individuals with a family history of type 2 diabetes are also more likely to develop the disease than those without.2 Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of US diabetes cases.3
Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune, genetic and environmental factors. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and requires life-long management of the disease.
Additional Resources
American
Diabetes Association
Centers for Disease Control: Diabetes
WebMD
Diabetes Information
1 Torpy J et. al. JAMA, April 15, 2009 – Vol 301, No. 15
2 Torpy J et. al. JAMA, April 15, 2009 – Vol 301, No. 15
3 Center for Disease Control estimates http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/general.htm#what
The U.S. spends approximately $174 billion in annual total costs for diagnosed diabetes with $116 billion in direct medical costs.1