The Burden of Obesity in North Carolina Obesity-Related Chronic Disease

More than half (53%) of all deaths of North Carolinians are preventable. Overweight and obesity are significantly associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, and poor health status. Inadequate fruits and vegetables, lack of leisure time physical activity, obesity, and overweight make up 80% of N.C.s risk factor or behaviors.

Preventable Causes of Death in N.C. State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, (2007).

The Burden of Obesity in North Carolina Diabetes and Pre-diabetes

Diabetes Prevalence in North Carolina In 2007, nearly one-in-ten (9.1%) adults reported having been diagnosed with diabetes, higher than 8.1% among U.S. adults. In 2007, nearly one-in-ten (9.1%) adults reported having been diagnosed with diabetes, higher than 8.1% among U.S. adults. Diabetes prevalence has more than doubled since Diabetes prevalence has more than doubled since More than 1.2 million adults have pre-diabetes or diabetes, and many are unaware of their condition. More than 1.2 million adults have pre-diabetes or diabetes, and many are unaware of their condition.

Pre-diabetes and Obesity Pre-diabetes is a precursor of type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a precursor of type 2 diabetes. Since 1995, the prevalence of obesity in North Carolina increased by about 70 percent. Since 1995, the prevalence of obesity in North Carolina increased by about 70 percent. Overweight individuals are more than twice as likely to develop diabetes as healthy-weight individuals. Among the obese, the risk is three times greater, and is six times greater for the morbidly obese. Overweight individuals are more than twice as likely to develop diabetes as healthy-weight individuals. Among the obese, the risk is three times greater, and is six times greater for the morbidly obese.

Diabetes Hospitalization in North Carolina In 2006, 38.1% of adults reported never having had diabetes screening. In 2006, 38.1% of adults reported never having had diabetes screening. In 2006, 16,219 North Carolinians were discharged from the hospital after receiving care for diabetes as the primary admitting diagnosis. In 2006, 16,219 North Carolinians were discharged from the hospital after receiving care for diabetes as the primary admitting diagnosis. Hospitalization costs associated with the principal diagnosis of diabetes reached $257 million in Hospitalization costs associated with the principal diagnosis of diabetes reached $257 million in 2006.

Diabetes Mortality in North Carolina Diabetes ranked as the 7th leading cause of death in North Carolina in Diabetes ranked as the 7th leading cause of death in North Carolina in Diabetes was the 4th leading cause of death among African Americans in North Carolina and third among American Indians. Diabetes was the 4th leading cause of death among African Americans in North Carolina and third among American Indians. Diabetes prevalence increases with age, affecting nearly one in every ten adults over 35 years old in 2006 in North Carolina. Diabetes prevalence increases with age, affecting nearly one in every ten adults over 35 years old in 2006 in North Carolina.

Childhood Diabetes in North Carolina Several national studies have reported increases in prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes in children and youth with one of the key links being obesity. Several national studies have reported increases in prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes in children and youth with one of the key links being obesity. In , the North Carolina Annual School Health Services Reports for public schools reported that: In , the North Carolina Annual School Health Services Reports for public schools reported that: 4,437 public school students had diabetes in ,437 public school students had diabetes in ,419 monitored blood glucose at school 3,419 monitored blood glucose at school 1,918 received insulin injections at school 1,918 received insulin injections at school 1,414 had insulin pumps 1,414 had insulin pumps