Diabetes mellitus has become a widespread problem in today's society, especially as it affects our youth in increasing numbers. Diabetes is defined as “a complex disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism that is primarily the result of a deficiency or complete lack of insulin secretion by the beta cells of the pancreas or of insulin resistance ( “DM”, 2013, p. The number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has increased significantly from the 1980s to the present, as has the number of children diagnosed with diabetes. Risk factors such as family history, obesity and ethnicity are all crucial to the prevalence of diabetes and its devastating effects on the future health of those affected. Asian American ethnicity is associated with elevated risk factors along with many other ethnicities such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans (Smeltzer, Bare, Hinkle, & Cheever, 2010, p. 1197). Below we will discuss how diabetes in adolescents has become a critical issue for their generation and the effects it is having on their self-care and in collaboration with their healthcare providers and nurses. Impact on patients and patient care Adolescents are currently affected by diabetes due to several factors, but the most important and crucial factor is obesity. Research conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality on Asian Americans, more specifically those from South Asia, showed that although patients' height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) show that the person is overweight or obese, the patient does not perceive himself as overweight or obese. Those of Asian descent diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are diagnosed with a lower BMI than many other… middle of paper… s. (2013, March). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Research Activities, 13. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/news/newsletters/research-activities/13mar/Mar13RA.pdfScott, LK (2013). Presence of risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children. Pediatric Nursing, 4(4), 190-196. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.com.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=d2677c5a-a052-420e-9d1c-c43b91053f41%40sessionmgr115&vid=12&hid=108Smeltzer, SC, Bare, BG, Hinkle, J. L., & Cheever, K. H. (2010). Textbook of medical-surgical nursing by Brunner & Suddarth (12th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. South Asians may not perceive themselves as overweight or obese. (2013, March). Agency for Research and Quality in Healthcare: Research Activities, 18-19. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/news/newsletters/research-activities/13mar/Mar13RA.pdf