The chance of developing diabetes depends on a range of factors, including age, gender, lifestyle, and race. The medical community has discovered that some ethnic groups are more likely to get diabetes compared to others. To be more precise, some people have a higher risk of developing diabetes, and it’s not clearly understood why. The matter of the fact is that ethnicity is a risk factor and it can’t be controlled. If you want to learn more about the influence of the ethnic background on the development of diabetes, please continue reading the blog post.
Understanding race and ethnicity
Many people assume that race and ethnicity is the same thing, when in fact it is not. Race is associated with physical features, like skin or eye color. Ethnicity, on the other hand, refers to culture; it is a complex construct, being defined as the state of belonging to a social group with a common culture. What mostly characterizes ethnic groups is history, language, religion, and clothing. There are clear distinctions between race and ethnicity. Nonetheless, it is important to understand that both of them are important mechanisms of diabetic complications.
How ethnicity affects the risk of developing diabetes
According to global enquiries performed on ethnic groups and minorities, people belonging to certain ethnic groups are more likely to get diabetes than others. This is true for the following individuals:
- African Americans
- South/East Asians
- Hispanic Americans
- American Indians
- Alaska Natives
- Filipinos
- Pacific Islander Americans
The prevalence of the illness in ethnic groups and minorities is linked to numerous factors, such as health conditions, genetics, financial resources, lifestyle, and access to health services. The vast majority of people who have diabetes have type 1. The occurrence is higher in temperate climates. Type 2 diabetes is responsible for many cases as well, being commonplace in China and India.
Not only does the ethnic background increase the chances of getting diabetes, but it also increases the chances of developing worrisome complications from the disease, such as renal failure or severe infections. It is important not to forget about cardiovascular complications.
Lessening the risk of getting diabetes
It is impossible for individuals to change their race and ethnicity. However, it is within their power to lower the risk of developing the disease. What they can do is:
- Keep a healthy diet: Being overweight increases the chances of getting diabetes. For this exact reason, people need to maintain their blood sugar under control. This can be achieved through dieting. It is recommended to consume foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, and starchy foods.
- Exercise on a regular basis: Weight can be managed with exercise as well. Physical exercise needs to be of an intense nature.
- Watch portions: The serving size matters. People who know that they are at risk of developing diabetes should watch their portions. More specifically, they should weigh and measure what they are eating.
