South Asian Women with Diabetes Complications in Los Angeles County - Essay Example

? South Asian Women with Diabetes Complications in Los Angeles County of the of the of the CHAPTER-1: INTTRODUCTION Diabetes is considered as one of the highly affecting health issues across the globe with a number of people getting affected by it in a serious manner. The prevalence of diabetes is a worldwide issue that has been affecting lives by affecting the health. There are several forms of diabetes including Type-1 in which pancreas produces little or no insulin and Type-2 diabetes in which the body becomes resistant to insulin. Type-2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of diabetes cases and has been increasing primarily because of the rise in the obesity, heart complications, and kidney failure (County of Los Angeles Public Health (2008). At the same time; age, gender, ethnicity, and life style patterns also affect the level of diabetes in Asians, Whites, and Africans (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). The numbers of diabetics in the United States have been increasing in last few years and obesity is considered as the main reason behind it. However, race and gender has also been assumed as the main factors in determining the impact and influence of diabetes in many people (Chowdhary, et al, 2003). Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death and ninth leading cause of premature death in Los Angeles County suggesting that the impact and influence of diabetes is quite high on the lives of people living in Los Angeles County (Wulffson, 2011). It was further found that the prevalence of diabetes in quite high in Black and South Asian people suggesting that race and ethnicity play an important role in determining and ascertaining the level of diabetes. It was further found that Black and South Asians are more inclined to develop diabetes mainly because of their lifestyle and obesity issues that is more inclined to eating oily and unhealthy food. Diabetes is a life threatening health complication that can affect the well being of people in a considerable manner (Wulffson, 2011). It was found that adult diabetes rate has increased from 6.6% in 1997 to 9.1% in 2007 affecting more than 65000 adults in Los Angeles County and can be considered as an alarming situation (County of Los Angeles Public Health (2008). As per the report published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2012); it was found that out of the 25.6 million adults with diabetes in the United States, 12.6 million were women in the year 2010. This clearly shows that the number of women suffering from diabetes in the United States is quite high. It was also found that Black and South Asian women are more likely to develop diabetes compared to European and White women. The risk of heart disease in women was found to be more serious compared to men highlighting the risks women are exposed to in terms of diabetes in the United States (Das, 2002). Women with diabetes are more likely to develop heart and obesity issues that can further affect their life expectancy in a negative manner. As stated before, gender, race, and ethnicity play an important role in determining the level of diabetes and the danger of diabetes is quite high in Hispanic, Africans, Asians, and American Indians. It is often believed that family history also determines the level of diabetes and, people with poor genes and complicated medical history are supposed to develop diabetes either at an early or later age (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). The complication of diabetes can be in the form of heart issues, obesity, poor health, weak eye sight, and uneasiness. All these health complications can lead to long term health complications that may result in sudden death or failure of multiple body organs (Eyler, 1998). People suffering from diabetes need to be more focused on accepting a healthy lifestyle rather living an erratic lifestyle that can affect the overall well being in a negative manner. Diabetes cannot be cured permanently, it can only be managed and controlled and that too by following a strict and healthy lifestyle. South Asian women follow calorie rich diet that results in diabetes and because of the little physical activities and high level of diabetes suffer from diabetes (Das, 2002). It was found that the rate of diabetes was higher in all ethnic groups but it has higher prevalence in Asian and African communities. Moreover, there has been an increase from 5.9% in 1996 to 9% in 2007 in the number of South Asian diabetic women (Eyler, 1998). Background of the Problem Diabetes is one of the most common diseases existing across the world and has been rising at an alarming pace in last few years (Forouhi and Sattar, 2006). The number of diabetics has been increasing in the United States with large numbers of women being affected by it. There is no doubt that majority of risk is suffered by South Asian and African women because of their lifestyle and health complications but even 10% of white women are also getting affected by diabetes in the United States . On the other hand, 18.7% of African American Women are affected by diabetes in the US. It was also found that around 8-10% of South Asian women are treated with diabetes in different parts of the US. The number of diabetic women is quite high in Los Angeles County and high numbers of deaths happen because of the diabetes (County of Los Angeles Public Health (2008). It was further found that 14% of American Indians are suffering from diabetes that can be considered as a worrying sign for the Asian community. As per the County of Los Angeles Public Health (2008), the numbers have increased significantly in last ten years and Africans, Latinos, and Asians have been majorly affected by the diabetes. It was also found that South Asian women suffer from diabetes because of the lifestyle and obesity issues that need to be managed and controlled in a systematic manner to seek better results. The rate of obesity has also increased among women mainly because of the lack of physical activities and little focus on revamping lifestyle and health complications in a logical way. In the context of the South Asian Women, it was found that Indians living in Los Angeles County are not much in numbers but a number of South Asian women around 1-2% from the total 8-10% of South Asian Women population in the US are affected by diabetes and can be considered as a worrying situation. The prevalence of diabetes among South Asian women is mainly because of the genetic factor, eating disorders, and lack of physical activities along with little awareness and understanding of the issue. Statement of the Problem Although, diabetes is a global health problem but the rate and numbers of diabetics has been on a rise in the United States creating an alarming situation for the people and the government (Khunti and Samani, 2004). Diabetes leads to several other health issues and complications that result in severe health issues in the long run. South Asians can be considered as the fastest growing immigrant population in the United States and are more likely to develop diabetes compared to White people (Eyler, 1998). Despite the lower body mass index; South Asians have increased incidence of abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and poor metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of diabetes in South Asians can be because of the little awareness on diabetes issue and attitude towards the diabetes. At the same time, eating oily and carbohydrate rich food along with little physical movement also affect the quality of South Asian people. It was found that the rate of obesity increased from 14.3% in 1996 to 22.2% in 2007 facilitating the cases of diabetes in LA County especially among women (Los Angeles Public Health (2008). It can be said that South Asian women are exposed to little awareness programs that affect their thought process. The problem lies in dealing with the diabetes issue that is dependent on the understanding of reasons behind the rise of diabetes (Mather and Keen, 1985). Obesity is on a rise among South Asian women and so is health issue and complication and diabetes is the main reason behind all these issues. The life style pattern of South Asian women and their diet is quite objectionable in terms of controlling and managing diabetes. Many researchers and academicians have vouched their opinion for using health and awareness programs for women in order to make them prepare to deal with diabetes issues on their own (Forouhi and Sattar, 2006). South Asian women are also affected by values and beliefs that may not support healthy lifestyle and are more likely to face Diabetes issues in the long run. At the same time, they need to help themselves in order to manage diabetes in a systematic manner (Das, 2002). Statement of the Purpose The purpose of the study is to investigate and analyse reasons behind the rise of diabetes among South Asian women along with underpinning health complications associated with it in a systematic manner. Though, the significance of the study is majorly restricted to the dependency on the secondary literature and analysis; it will further help in ascertaining the overall intricacies of diabetes and its impact and influence over the South Asian women in Los Angeles County in the current time. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the prevalence of diabetes among South Asian women and its complications in Los Angeles County. Diabetes has been one of the highly influential health diseases that have severe detrimental effects on the mind and body of people suffering from it (County of Los Angeles Public Health (2008). In last few years, the number of women suffering from diabetes has increased a lot in Los Angeles County. Moreover, a number of deaths is caused due to diabetes and can be considered as one of the deadliest diseases. Significance of the Project Diabetes has generated much curiosity and research in order to mitigate its impact and influence over people suffering from it. Diabetes is caused by a number of reasons and other health related issues and complications and can be considered as one of the highly risky diseases posing great threat to life expectancy (Das, 2002). In last few years, the numbers of South Asian Women suffering from diabetes have surged to new heights mainly because of the ethnic, lifestyle, and economic issues (Wulffson, 2011). The significance of the project lies in conducting in-depth study over the rise of diabetes among South Asian women. The number of women suffering from diabetes has been rising in the United States and the project can be considered as of great significance in highlighting wide arrays of medical complications associated with diabetes and its solutions in a systematic manner (Forouhi and Sattar, 2006). The next part of the discussion summarises the entire discussion in a succinct manner. Summary Diabetes among South Asian Women has been increasing at a rapid pace in last few years and the numbers are quite alarming in Los Angeles County. It can be believed that life style and ethnicity along with culture, social, and economic issues affect the diabetes and its rise among women. With little physical activities and movement; diabetes has been the major cause of concern among South Asian women. The discussion presented an insight over the rise and complications of diabetes among South Asian women in Los Angeles County and it was found that awareness and educational programs can be of great help in eradicating diabetes issue but South Asian women need to understand the severity and intricacies of diabetes in order to help themselves in a systematic manner. References Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). Successes and Opportunities for Population-Based Prevention and Control at a Glance. Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/ddt.htm County of Los Angeles Public Health (2008). Trends in Diabetes. Los Angeles Health. Retrieved from http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/wwwfiles/ph/hae/ha/Diabetes_2010_6pg_Sfinal.pdf Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). Groups Especially Affected. Diabetes Public Health Resource. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/groups.htm Chowdhary.T, Grace, C; Kopelman, P (2003). Preventing Diabetes in South Asians. BMJ. British Medical Journal, 327, 1059-1060 Das, U.N (2002). Nutritional deficiencies and the prevalence of syndrome X in South Asians. Nutrition, 18 (3), 282-282 Eyler, A. (1998). Physical activity and minority women: A qualititative study. Health Education and Behaviour, 25 (5), 640-652 Forouhi, N and Sattar, N. (2006). CVD risk factors and ethnicity- A homogeneous relationship? Atherosclerosis Supplements, 7 (1), 11-19 Khunti, K and Samani, N (2004). Coronary heart disease and people of South Asian origin. Lancet, 264 (9451), 2077-8 Mather, H and Keen (1985). The South hall diabetes survey: Prevalence of known diabetes in Asians and Europeans. British Medical Journal, 291 (1081), 1084. Wulffson. R (2011). New study on risk factors for gestational diabetes. Examiner-Gestational Diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/new-study-on-risk-factors-for-gestational-diabetes Read More