Christian MD Calls Type-II Diabetes a 'Silent Killer' That Can Be Curbed
by Mary Rettig
January 19, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A Christian endocrinologist in Oklahoma says there is a silent epidemic in the U.S. that demands attention. A recent article in the New York Times says that one in eight New Yorkers has diabetes, and in some southern states, diabetics make up nearly ten percent of the population.The NYT article also revealed that about 50 percent of Latino children under age five will eventually develop Type-II diabetes. And the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that this nationwide health problem is only getting worse. Oklahoma physician Dr. Curtis Harris says the vast majority of people with diabetes have Type-II, a disease that is often an overlooked killer.
"In fact if you look worldwide," Harris notes, "the major killer of adults in every developed nation -- not just the United States -- is diabetes and cardiovascular disease. They go hand in hand."
Genetics and diet are major factors causing this type of diabetes, the doctor adds. "You have to be, typically, overweight," he explains, and sufferers typically "make insulin, but they don't make quite enough for their weight."
Type-II used to be known as "adult onset" diabetes and was known as a disease more commonly developed by older patients. But today, Harris says, two percent of children in the U.S. have Type-II diabetes, and that number will double within the next five years. Eventually, he points out, children afflicted with the disease will grow up and want to have families "and they're going to discover that they are not fertile or that they have trouble with the pregnancy."
That fact has implications for society as well as the individual, the doctor notes. "Troubled pregnancies, of course, in terms of public health issues, are very costly," he says. And there are other economic considerations.
For instance, the children of these diabetics will be more prone to developing the disease that afflicts their parents; and, unfortunately, the life span of a diabetic is much shorter than average, the doctor points out. He notes, "These children have a much higher risk of dying earlier, leaving of course their families without a father or a mother to raise them. We're looking at a large social problem as well as an economic problem."
But there is good news. Harris emphasizes that many doctors believe Type-II diabetes can be prevented or at least postponed in a number of practical ways. He says watching one's weight, engaging in moderate exercise, and eating a generally balanced diet can help stave off the onset of the disease.
"A balanced diet would be one that is lower in fat than we currently consume," the endocrinologist says. "Fat is a high-energy source food; it leads weight gain quicker than eating candy does. Now both can be harmful, but you don't get Type-II diabetes by eating sweets. You get diabetes by eating too much fat."
The current crisis of children developing Type-II diabetes can also be curbed, Harris contends. He says the fact that more children are developing the disease is also a by-product of the problem of more overweight kids.
In order to address this child health crisis, Harris advises, parents need to get kids off the couch, away from the television and video games, and get them moving. If they can do that, he says, the likelihood of their children developing diabetes is greatly diminished.
Mary Rettig, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
