Report: Half of Hispanics Kids Will Develop Diabetes

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Half of all Hispanic children will develop diabetes, health officials say, KENS-TV reports.

In South Texas, where the population is mostly Hispanic, diabetes and obesity are the top biggest threats to health, given their link to certain cancers, heart disease, stroke, and more.

South Texas, a 38-county region spanning 45,000 square miles along the Texas-Mexico border and northward up to San Antonio and Bexar County, is home to 18 percent of the state’s population. Yet, South Texas residents who are predominantly Hispanics struggle with lower educational levels, less income and less access to health care, setting the stage for disease, according to the South Texas Health Status Review, an examination of health problems in the region by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.

“Rates of diabetes and obesity in South Texas were higher than in the rest of Texas and nation,” said IHPR researcher Dr. Dorothy Long Parma. “That makes diabetes prevention a critical need.”

Healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and participating in more physical activity, can reduce the risk of developing diabetes and improve health, Dr. Long Parma said.

The American Diabetes Association also offers Latino-focused resources on diabetes, and a free bilingual risk test to see if people are at risk for developing diabetes.