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Since 1552 B.C. records of diabetes have been documented, literally affecting millions of people. Eventually, researchers found that diabetes could be separated into two groups; type I diabetes is otherwise known as juvenile diabetes and type II diabetes is otherwise known as adult onset diabetes. To date, research has been successful in determining the particulars of the disease; these include, but are not limited to, the risk factors, prevention strategies, treatment options, and the impact of exercise and a healthy diet on the prognosis of the individual. While millions of Americans suffer from chronic diabetes, one's exercise regimen and one's nutritional intake can aid in controlling the disease, preventing and/or delaying further diabetes-related complications, and can help to prevent the furtherance of the severity of the disease.

Chronic Diabetes Defined

As food and drink are consumed, the body breaks them down and turns them into glucose. The glucose is then absorbed by the cells in order to produce energy. If the cells do not absorb the produced glucose, then the blood sugar in the blood stream continues to dangerously increase. Glucose is a major component that helps supply energy to the body; without this energy the body begins to deteriorate. Chronic diabetes can occur for two reasons; either the pancreas does not create quantitative insulin or the pancreas creates too much insulin and the cells of the body cannot handle the excessive quantity of insulin. Diabetes is not contagious and, unfortunately, cannot be cured.

Risk Factors and Incidence

There are many factors that can increase an individual's chance of being diagnosed as diabetic. For example, being overweight places additional stress on the bodies' organs and can increase a person's chances of developing the disease. Furthermore, research has shown that a person's age, ethnic group, and family history can also affect the incidence of developing diabetes. Moreover, leading a sedentary lifestyle increases the odds of developing hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, which are also all risk factors for developing diabetes. According to the National Diabetes Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (2005), "from 1997-2004, diabetes cases were up 54%, with 2004 introducing 1.4 million new cases; of those, 90%-95% of newly diagnosed diabetes cases were Type II." The American Diabetes Association (n.d.) "estimates that in 2006 there are approximately

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