Type 2 Diabetes in Carbon County
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that can often be prevented by an increase in healthy behaviors. Despite this fact, “the number of persons at high risk of or diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is increasing all over the world” (Korkiakangas, Taanila, & Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi, 2011). Carbon County Pennsylvania is one area where this disease is on the rise. It used to be referred to as adult onset diabetes because it was commonly seen in older adults, but today there is also a high incidence seen in teens and even children as young as four years old (Bowden, 2012). The increase in obesity among children is most likely the cause (Schub & Caple, 2011). A health promotion and disease prevention program to prevent type 2 diabetes might include diet modification or increased activity. Both actions have been proven to prevent this health problem a large percent of time.
Population of Carbon County
Carbon County covers an area of over 500 square miles which has state game lands over two thirds of the area (Carbon, 2002). With so much available area for physical activity the population should be leading the state in physical fitness. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2008, 8.2 percent of the adults in Carbon County Pennsylvania have been diagnosed with diabetes, 28.8 percent of the population is obese, and 26.2 percent are physically inactive (2012). This high rate of obesity and inactivity puts even more of its residents at risk of contracting type 2 diabetes.
The rural landscape may contribute to the inactivity because it is difficult to walk places; most destinations require transportation to reach. Many of the area neighborhoods do not have sidewalks making walking programs unsafe at times. The culture may contribute to the obesity. There are many residents of German and Polish decent;