An analysis of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System indicates a significant rise in type 2 diabetes prevalence in the U.S. from 2012 to 2022, with notable regional and demographic disparities.

This observational study, encompassing over 5.3 million adult observations, documented an 18.6% increase in age-standardized, self-reported diabetes diagnoses based on the 2010 US census.

Key Findings:

1. Demographic Disparities:
   • Highest prevalence observed among non-Hispanic Black participants (15.8%)
   • Adults aged 65 years and older showed a prevalence of 23.9%
   • Adults aged 45-64 years were 5.16 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to those aged 18-24 years
   • Slightly higher prevalence in males compared to females (12.6% vs. 11.6%)
   • Hispanic participants had 1.60 times higher odds, and non-Hispanic Asian participants had 1.67 times higher odds of diabetes compared to non-Hispanic White participants
2. Physical Activity:
   • Physically inactive participants exhibited a higher prevalence of diabetes (19%) compared to their active counterparts (9.9%)
   • Regular exercise was found to reduce the risk of diabetes diagnosis by approximately 32%
3. BMI and Obesity:
   • Overweight participants (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m²) had a diabetes prevalence of 11.19%
   • Obese participants (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) had a prevalence of 19.23%
   • The adjusted odds ratio for obesity was 3.64, indicating that obese participants had more than 3.5 times the likelihood of having diabetes compared to those with a normal BMI
4. Socioeconomic Factors:
   • Participants in lower-income brackets and those lacking a college education experienced higher diabetes prevalence
5. Geographic Disparities:
   • The South and Midwest regions exhibited notable increases
   • States such as Arkansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska reported the highest spikes in prevalence
   • These regions have higher obesity rates and larger populations of non-Hispanic Black individuals, contributing to higher diabetes risk

Study Limitations:

The researchers noted potential limitations, including possible bias from self-reported diagnoses and the lack of clinical data. These factors should be considered when interpreting the results.

The findings, published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, underscore the growing challenge of type 2 diabetes in the United States and highlight the need for targeted interventions, particularly among high-risk groups and regions.

Full disclosures can be found in the published letter.