1

Emily Burich
Problem/Solution Paper
Mrs. Warneke
English 12
Diabetes: A Threat to us all
In the United States, thirty-seven percent of adults are at risk for developing type 2
diabetes (Skolik, Neil, and Susan K). At first glance thirty-seven percent might not seem like a
lot, but that is over eighty-nine million people. Not only is this disease affecting adults, but with
childhood obesity numbers rising, it is also becoming a problem for the youth. These young
people are the future of our country, and it is important to stop the increase of diabetes before it
is too late. These statistics could be changed with just a couple of simple lifestyle choices. Type
2 diabetes may be one of the deadliest diseases in the United States, but it can be prevented with
a healthy diet and exercise.
Diabetes is a major problem in our nation today. There are a couple different types of
diabetes, but the most common form is type 2 (Walden). Although type 2 diabetes is a lot easier
to treat than type 1, it is still a very fatal disease. Around thirty million people in the United
States suffer from type 2 diabetes according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects the bodys ability to metabolize sugar (Mayo Clinic
Staff). In a lot of cases, people with type 2 diabetes are not able to produce enough insulin to
maintain a healthy glucose level (Mayo Clinic Staff). This can cause a tremendous amount of
fatigue. Kelly Lee Hardin, a clinical services manager at Telecare explains that among the many
solutions for diabetes, the best is spreading awareness of the disease (Marketwired). Many
people do not know that type 2 diabetes is a symptom of obesity. With the growth of obesity in

our country, there has also been an increase in type 2 diabetes cases. The Community Prevention
Services Task Force recommends the use of a healthy diet and exercise to be two of the best
ways to prevent type 2 diabetes (Skolnik, Neil, and Susan K). Not only could these two things
prevent the disease, but they can also lead to it vanishing completely.
Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent type 2 diabetes. Eating
healthy is not just important to a persons overall health, but it can also affect their chances of
getting type 2 diabetes. It is said that changing your daily routine to include regular monitoring
and eating correctly are two things that can make a big impact and improve overall diabetes
outcomes (Marketwired). Making a big lifestyle change like this can be hard; Fifty one percent
of Americans say that they would be interested in learning more about the healthy lifestyle
changes that could end up saving their lives (Marketwired). Even switching to more home
cooking could affect people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that for each lunch
prepared at home in a week, the risk of type 2 diabetes dropped by two percent (Reinberg). It is
also shown that people who eat at home more often than eating out are slightly slimmer
(Reinberg). According to Tiffany Walden, there are many young, healthy people that are also
being diagnosed with forms of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is becoming a bigger problem with
young people due to childhood obesity. Over the last two decades, obesity has been a major risk
factor for type 2 diabetes in adolescents (Hannon). If children arent taught to eat healthy at a
young age, it could lead to a long battle against type 2 diabetes. This could also end up affecting
their children in her long run. That being said, type 2 diabetes doesnt only affect unhealthy
people. Healthy options are not always as affordable or available as other foods. Some
americans may not be able to make healthy lifestyle choices because they do not have enough
money. Products that are organic and gourmet generally cost forty-seven percent more than the

competitors (Cost of Organic). It can also be difficult to find healthy options in our society
today. It seems like every new product that stores come out with is even fattier than the last.
Restaurants also make it very difficult to eat a healthy and nutritious meal. Portion sizes are
usually double what they should be and they contain a ridiculous amount of fat and calories (13
Effects of). This can make every meal a challenge, and some people are just not willing to
put in the time and effort it takes to keep up with it. Even people who eat healthy regularly can
be at risk for type 2 diabetes due to genetics. Type 2 diabetes can also be hereditary, and that is
something that you can not fix with a healthy diet (Genetics of Diabetes). It is impossible to
alter your genetic makeup, making diabetes something that some Americans just have to live
with.
If eating healthy isn't the best option, there is always physical activity. Another great way
to prevent type 2 diabetes is to exercise regularly. Everyone knows that exercising is good for
your body, but according to Alyssa Shaffer, it can also be as effective as some medications
when it comes to beating type 2 diabetes. Strength training for as little as an hour a week can
cut a womans chances of developing type 2 diabetes by twenty-eight percent (Fitness). It is
shown that any type of exercise, even just ten minutes of intense interval training per workout,
can lower glucose levels by thirteen percent (Shaffer). This is a big deal for people affected by
type 2 diabetes because that is one of the most troubling symptoms of the disease. This is great,
but there are also downsides to this solution. It can also be a daunting task to get children to stay
active and exercise; A good way for young people to use exercise against diabetes is to
participate in sports. Not only would they be having fun, but they would also be cutting their
chances of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Some women with type 2 diabetes also
experience a barrier when it comes to exercising. During low to moderate intensity exercise,

researchers have found significantly higher lactate levels in people with type 2 diabetes (Type 2
diabetes). This can affect the hemoglobin in blood leading to a fatal result. The positive
effects of exercise on patients with type 2 diabetes also has to do with the amount of effort put in
by the patient. In some cases, the level of exercise needs to be quite intense to actually effect the
disease. People that are overweight or obese are not always able to participate in such strenuous
activity. Maintaining a regular workout schedule is also very difficult. A lot of time and
devotion goes into living an active lifestyle. Not all Americans have the patience or the time for
that. It is also difficult for some Americans to get access to proper equipment. It can also cost a
lot of money if you are having to pay for a gym membership every month. Not only is the
equipment not available, but Americans may not know how to operate it. The use of inadequate
equipment could lead to injury or death.
In conclusion, I think that the best solution for diabetes is a combination of a healthy diet
and exercise. Both of these solutions are great on their own, but they are even more effective
together. It is a well known fact that a healthy diet and exercise can lead to weight loss, and that
is something that type 2 diabetes patients need desperately. Being able to maintain a healthy
body weight is the best way to keep type 2 diabetes away and that can be achieved with a healthy
diet and regular exercise. I think it is very important to ingrain these healthy lifestyle choices
into Americans at a very young age. As previously shown, there are many statistics to back up
this argument. It is somewhat hard to believe that such a simple plan can cure such a deadly
disease like diabetes. I guess sometimes it is best to think of the basics, even when solving lifechanging problems.

Works Cited
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2015.
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"Genetics of Diabetes." American Diabetes Association. 20 May 2014. Web. 17 Dec. 2015.
Hannon, Tamara. Childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. US National Library of
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Marketwired. "Telcare Continues Momentum and Shines Spotlight on Diabetes
Education and Prevention in Honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month." Marketwire
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Mayo Clinic Staff. "Type 2 Diabetes." Mayo Clinic. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.
Reinberg, Steven. "Home Cooking May Help Keep Type 2 Diabetes at Bay; Study finds
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Shaffer, Alyssa. The Exercise Solution. Prevention 64.5 (2012): 43-47. Health
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Skolnik, Neil, and Susan K. Fidler. "Clinical guidelines: Diet, exercise for type 2 diabetes
prevention." Family Practice News 15 Sept. 2015: 21. Student Resources in Context.
Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

"Type 2 diabetes patients find exercise more difficult, says CU Anschutz study." NewsRx
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Web. 24 Nov. 2015.