Diabetes and Endocrinology

Biography

Biography: Lorraine Mongiello

Abstract

Although the rapid increase of type 2 diabetes is crossing all socio‐economic groups, it is still most prevalent among minorities and the poor. Recent data suggest that non-Hispanic African-American (16.0%) and Mexican-American (15.7%) adults exhibited higher age-adjusted prevalence than non-Hispanic white adults (8.8%). What is also alarming, and less known, is that Asian-Americans are 30-50% more likely to have diabetes than their white counterparts and Asians also develop diabetes at an earlier age and at lower ranges of body mass index (BMI) than other groups.Despite these disturbing numbers, my research of 1600 young adults shows that there is significant variation in the understanding of risk among racial/ethnic groups; only 0.02% of Asians, 14.0% of Hispanics and 22.8% of black college students recognized that their race increased their risk.Explanations for the excess diabetes risk in Asians are unclear; but there is existing evidence that higher rates may be associated with increased insulin resistance, lower abdominal obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical inactivity. These theories and how they impact diabetes prevention and treatment will be presented. Additionally, South Asian men may need to undertake greater levels of moderate physical activity compared to other groups to achieve similar benefits. Because of these differences between Asians, Asian subgroups and other races/ethnicities, specific BMI and exercise standards have been developed for Asians. Applying these Asian-specific standards as well as culturally appropriate nutrition therapy will be discussed.