What Is Diabetes

The collective reaction to Paula Deen's diabetes announcement tells us much about our attitude toward health and nutrition. Of course nobody is shocked at the news, but many commentators missed an opportunity to make a bigger point.

The blogosphere was thrumming about whether the Food Network's down-home Southern queen, Paula Deen, has Type 2 diabetes. Yes, by now you know she does.

Type 2 diabetes has become an increasing problem in modern America. Because it is chiefly linked to obesity, as more people become overweight and as the age of gaining weight reaches down into childhood, a largely preventable disease turns into an epidemic.