Diabetes is now a fact of life for roughly 21 million American adults and obesity is to blame for the dramatic rise in cases. That is the finding of a new analysis published In the Annals of Internal Medicine. The estimate is based on the tracking of more than 43,000 men and women between 1988 and 2010.

The finding suggests that diabetes now affects more than 9% of the American public up from just around 5% a quarter century back. Trends are equally dismal when looking at Americans whose above-normal blood glucose levels place them at high risk for the future onset of diabetes.

By some measures, as of 2010 people with pre-diabetes accounted for more than 12% of the American public up from less than 6% back in 1988.

What is causing the upswing in diabetes?

This study authors point fingers directly at America’s ever-expanding waistline.

In fact, they note that the percentage of Americans struggling with obesity has gone up almost in tandem with diabetes rising from roughly 21% in 1988 to 32% by 2010.

I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with the news that can keep you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and happy.

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