The percentage of people reporting diabetes has not changed in the past ten years. The older people are, the more often diabetes occurs, especially type 2. Up to age 50, less than 1 percent has this form of diabetes. Among 50- to 55-year-olds, this is 5 percent, rising to 14 percent among those over 75.
Type 1 diabetes occurs very rarely up to about age 50. Among those over 50, it occurs slightly more at 2 percent.
Overweight - especially obesity (severe overweight) - is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Among people with obesity, 10 percent have this form of diabetes, compared to 2 percent of people without overweight. People under 50 without overweight or with moderate overweight almost never have type 2 diabetes. Among those over 65 with obesity, 17 percent have type 2 diabetes.
In diabetes, high blood sugar can lead to damage to blood vessels and nerves. As a result, people with diabetes have an increased risk of various conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. Among those over 50, the age group in which diabetes is most common, diabetics report more often cardiovascular diseases: 14 percent, compared to 6 percent among peers without diabetes.
Drinking many sugary drinks is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Conversely, having diabetes can influence dietary patterns. Diabetics are advised to choose a diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit, and little added sugars.
Diabetics aged 50 or older report drinking on average just over 2 glasses of sugary drinks per week in 2023/2024. Peers without diabetes drink on average just over 3 glasses per week. Also, diabetics over 50 more often drink no or less than weekly sugary drinks: 75 percent, compared to 62 percent of those over 50 without diabetes. On the other hand, people over 50 with diabetes less often eat enough vegetables and fruit.
This news report describes associations between diabetes and overweight, cardiovascular diseases, and nutrition. CBS makes no statements about cause and effect; this is not possible based on this survey. Moreover, associations can work in two directions: overweight increases the chance of getting diabetes, but having diabetes can also influence your lifestyle, and thus indirectly your weight. Finally, other, uninvestigated factors may also play a role in diabetes.
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