Americans earn a failing grade on diabetes awareness, based on survey results released today by the American Diabetes Association. In general, Americans earned a 51% when asked a series of questions about a disease so common that it strikes every 20 seconds. The survey results revealed that many diabetes myths and misconceptions still exist, while the disease's prevalence continues to rise.
To combat this situation, this November during American Diabetes Month®, the American Diabetes Association is launching a new movement: Stop Diabetes(SM). Americans are encouraged to join the movement to Stop Diabetes and put an end to diabetes' physical, emotional and economic toll on the U.S.
For the last 18 months, the American Diabetes Association has reached out to people in communities across the country to better understand Americans' perceptions of diabetes.
"Many Americans have a very limited understanding of the basic facts about diabetes, as well as the serious consequences for health that accompany the disease," commented Sue McLaughlin, RD, CDE, President, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association. "Unfortunately, numerous myths about diabetes exist, making it difficult for people to believe the science-based facts, as fear inspiring as they may be. Denial of diabetes and the promotion of inaccurate information, full of stereotypes and stigma, do not serve anyone well. The Association's Stop Diabetes campaign aims to put a halt to this lack of awareness and misinformation so we can change the direction of diabetes prevalence in this country."
The Myths and Facts:
The American Diabetes Association set out to test a larger segment of the American population with common diabetes myths and facts. In a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Diabetes Association, 2,081 Americans were asked questions to test their diabetes knowledge. The results showed that several diabetes myths and misconceptions are common and diabetes remains a misunderstood disease.
Myth: Diabetes is not that serious of a disease.
When asked to rank which disease (diabetes, breast cancer, AIDS) was responsible for the greatest number of U.S. deaths each year, not even half of respondents chose diabetes (42%).
Fact: Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.
Myth: Eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes.
According to the survey, approximately one third of respondents knew this myth was false (32%).
Fact: No, it cannot. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.
Myth: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.
According to the survey, approximately three in five respondents (59%) did not know that this is a false statement. In addition, more than half (53%) of respondents did not know that risk for developing type 2 diabetes increases with age.
Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing this disease, but other risk factors such as family history, ethnicity and age also play a role. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the other risk factors for diabetes and think that weight is the only risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Most overweight people never develop type 2 diabetes, and many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.
RELATED: Find out your risk for type 2 diabetes.
"Diabetes prevalence continues to be a leading cause of death," said George Huntley, Chair of the Board of the American Diabetes Association. "In spite of this, our research shows that many people still may not take diabetes seriously; they consider it more of a condition than a disease. Many also incorrectly believe that if a person with diabetes doesn't appear to be ill, then their disease must not be serious or damaging. In fact, people we encountered did not believe us when we told them that diabetes, if left untreated, can be deadly. They thought this was an untrue statement. It's obvious that a more aggressive approach is desperately needed, and that we need to engage more people in the fight to stop diabetes."
RELATED: See how you score on diabetes myths and facts with the Stop Diabetes widget.
Stop Diabetes
The launch of the Stop Diabetes movement aims to stop this deadly disease from stealing moments, hours and days from millions of children and adults; to stop the anxiety, fear and heartache it causes everyday; to stop the blindness and amputations; to stop discrimination against people with diabetes; and to stop it from haunting our children's future and stealing our loved ones all too soon.
This will be accomplished by encouraging all people affected with diabetes to join together to share their stories, raise awareness of diabetes and its consequences, to support fundraising efforts in support of diabetes education and research. Driving the campaign forward is a new series of print and television public service announcements, released today by the Association that bring into focus the toll that diabetes takes on individuals and our healthcare system. Featuring real people with diabetes and their families, the PSAs bring the reality of living with the disease to life.
The PSA campaign directs people to join the Stop Diabetes movement by visiting StopDiabetes.com or calling the Association's National Call Center at 1-800-DIABETES. Individuals are encouraged to: