Study: Diabetics Diagnosed at a Normal Weight Die Sooner

About 12% of people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight when diagnosed. A new study finds that these diabetics are more than twice as likely to die early as others who are overweight. The finding surprised researchers. But overweight diabetics in the study were more likely to develop other health problems linked with poor control of the disease. Researchers combined the numbers from 5 long-term studies of diabetics. They included 2,600 people, all over age 40. During follow-up, about 450 people died. Researchers adjusted the numbers to account for other factors, such as smoking, that affect death risk. They found that death rates were 2.32 times as high among those who were not overweight when diagnosed. Researchers said they didn’t know why this group had higher death rates. They said it may be related to genes.

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Smokers Turn To Cheaper Tobacco Products

Cigarette smoking continues to decline, says a new government report. However, the use of non-cigarette tobacco products has increased. These include roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco and cigars. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a 25% decrease in overall tobacco consumption from 2000 to 2011. But from 2010 to 2011, the decrease was less than 1%. That’s because smokers were turning to other forms of tobacco, according to study authors. They noted a 2009 increase in the federal tobacco excise tax. It taxed cigarettes more heavily. That made non-cigarette tobacco products less expensive. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published the study. The New York Times wrote about it Aug. 3.

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