In 2005, an estimated 20.8 million persons in the United States (approximately 7% of the population) had diabetes. However, only 14.6 million of these persons had received a diagnosis for their disease. According to current projections, by 2050 approximately 48 million persons in the United States will have diabetes diagnosed, nearly 9 million more persons than previously estimated for 2050. In 2002, approximately 54 million US adults had prediabetes, meaning blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Obesity is a major factor, although not the sole factor, in the increased rate of newly diagnosed cases of diabetes. Lifestyle changes such as moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent or delay onset of type 2 diabetes among adults at high risk.
(Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 3, 2006)
