Productions

Among people age 20 to 79, the worldwide prevalence of diabetes was estimated to be 5.1 percent in 2003, with 72.5 percent of these cases occurring in individuals living in the developing world (141 million people). Of the three major forms of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 85 to 95% of all cases diagnosed.

In the developing world, westernization, urbanization, and increased affluence leading to lifestyle changes have been associated with an increase in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes.

India has more diabetic individuals than any other country, and although Indians currently make up slightly greater than 1% of the United States population, they are one of the fastest growing ethnic minorities in the country. There is a need to more fully understand the effects of migration on diabetes and related conditions in this population, specifically related to the process of migration and assimilation into American culture in the development of diabetes.