29.1 million people in the United States have diabetes, and according to Healthline, type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. They estimate 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases are in fact type 2.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 10 Americans is diagnosed with diabetes. They estimate that by 2050, one in every three Americans will have diabetes, if the trend continues.
Type 2 diabetes develops and can be caused by risk factors such as excess weight, lack of exercise, poor diet, family history and age, and childhood diagnoses are increasing in overweight youths.
With so many people affected by this disease, it's comforting to know you're not alone. It can happen to anyone, including the celebrities you see every day in the media. Here are six celebrities you may not know have type 2 diabetes.
1) Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks, 58, an award-winning actor, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in October 2014 and announced it to the public during an appearance on "The Late Show With David Letterman." Hanks was diagnosed at the age of 57 as a result of high blood sugar and extreme weight fluctuations he went through to play different roles in movies.
2) Paula Deen
Wikipedia.com
Paula Deen, 68, has made her claim to fame as a chef on Food Network, known for her rich and buttery Southern recipes. Deen was diagnosed at 64, but found inspiration in her diagnosis to create and share recipes for fellow diabetics.
3) Randy Jackson
wikimedia.org
Randy Jackson, 58, was a rocker in the '80s, but for newer generations he's better known for his more recent years spent as a judge on American Idol. Jackson was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 46 when he had extremely high blood sugar and weighed in around 350 pounds. Jackson's father also had diabetes, making family history and a poor diet big contributors to his condition.
4) Larry King
wikipedia.com
Larry King, 81, has been a TV and radio host on the air for years, but many don't know he also was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. King doesn't know exactly when his diabetes started, but around 1995, his doctor told him to get his high blood sugar count checked out. He has been on medication ever since.
5) Tracy Morgan
wikimedia.org
Tracy Morgan, 46, has been well known as a comedian and actor, appearing on shows like Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1996, but said he didn't take it seriously until years later when he started having serious health complications.
6) Salma Hayek
Wikipedia.com
Salma Hayek began her career on a Spanish soap opera, but has transformed into a well-known American actress. Hayek actually had a different type of diabetes known as gestational diabetes, one that occurs during pregnancy. While pregnant with her daughter at the age of 41, Hayek was diagnosed. Although gestational diabetes normally only lasts through pregnancy, it puts her at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
Sources:
Healthline. Type 2 Diabetes Statistics and Facts. Retrieved April 15,2015. http://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/statistics#1
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Number of Americans With Diabetes Projected to Double or Triple by 2050. Retrieved April 15,2015. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r101022.html
WebMD. Tom Hanks has type 2 Diabetes. Retrieved April 15,2015. http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20131008/tom-hanks-has-type-2-diabetes
CBS News. Paula Deen’s Type 2 Diabetes: Is Her Cooking to Blame? Retrieved April 15, 2015. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/paula-deens-type-2-diabetes-is-her-cooking-to-blame
Health. Randy Jackson talks type two diabetes. Retrieved April 15, 2015. http://news.health.com/2012/09/14/randy-jackson-talks-type-2-diabetes
Diabetes Forecast. Larry King talks. Retrieved April 15, 2015. http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2009/aug/larry-king-talks.html
Bio. Tracy Morgan. Retrieved April 15, 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/tracy-morgan-17134074#personal-life
Chicago Tribune. Salma Hayek. Retrieved April 15, 2015. http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/hk-celebrity-diabetes-photo--salma-hayek-photo.html