Diabetes an Epidemic in the African American Community Essay

Diabetes an Epidemic in the African American Community The facts are clear: The diabetes epidemic sweeping the U.S. is hitting the African American community particularly hard, according to doctors. (2) Diabetes is defined as, A disease that affects the bodys ability to produce or respond to insulin, a hormone that allows blood glucose (blood sugar) to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. (1) There are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, which usually begins during childhood or adolescence, Is a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by total lack of insulin. This occurs when the bodys immune system attacks the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas†¦show more content†¦Do African Americans like their food well done or almost burnt? Do greens and beans require pork to satisfy as soul food? Is this a legacy from slavery that remains with us 135 years later? (4) These rhetorical questions are solutions to why diabetes is most prevalent in the Africa n Americans community. Fifty percent of African American women suffer from obesity. African American adults have substantially higher rates of obesity than white Americans. (3) Overweight is a major risk factor for diabetes 2 in the African American community. Excess amounts of fats and sugars are killing the African Community. In the bestseller Satan, by Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, she argues that Diabetes is the third leading killer after heart disease and cancer among African Americans. (4) She goes on to say that, Historically black people have played diabetes off and commonly referred to this deadly disease by saying Mama has a sugar problem. (4) In order for the expansion of diabetes to lessen in the black community, people have to be comfortable enough to name the disease and realize that if mama has a sugar problem, then mama needs to stop eating five pounds of sugar! 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