Diabetes, a growing global health concern
Diabetes, has soared to 366 million, representing 8.3 percent of the adult population.
North America and the Caribbean is the region with the highest prevalence of diabetes at 11 percent, followed by the Middle East and North Africa with 9.2 percent, and Western Pacific regions with 8.6 percent.
Diabetes has become one of the fastest-growing health problems in the world, with its prevalence in some regions already reaching epidemic proportions as a consequence of lifestyle, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, obesity and overweight.
While 366 million people were living with diabetes in 2011, that number is expected to balloon to almost 600 million people by 2035.
Global health spending to treat diabetes and manage complications totaled almost $550 billion in 2013. Majority of the costs related to diabetes are spent on treating complications, which can affect the heart, eyes, kidneys and feet; these complications can be prevented through early diagnosis and proper management of diabetes.
Delayed diagnosis means that many people already have at least one complication by the time they are diagnosed with diabetes.
Up to 11 percent of total healthcare expenditure in every country across the globe could be saved by tackling the preventable risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
Described as a chronic disease, diabetes occurs when the human body is not able to produce enough of the hormone insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia). High blood sugar produces symptoms of frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger.
Diabetes comes in three types. Type 1 diabetes results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. People with this type of diabetes need insulin therapy to survive. This form was previously referred to as “insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.”
Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin. It often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity.
This form was previously referred to as “non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.”
It can go unnoticed and undiagnosed for a long time. Those people affected are unaware of the long-term damage being caused by the disease.
Gestational diabetes occurs when pregnant womenwithout a previous diagnosis of diabetes de- velop a high blood glucose level.
Today marks the celebrations of World Diabetes Day (WDD), an annual event created in 1991 by International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating threat posed by diabetes.
WDD’s theme for this year’s celebration is “Healthy Living and Diabetes,” which focuses on the importance of eating breakfast to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and effectively manage all types of diabetes to avoid complications.
Eating a healthy breakfast decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as skipping breakfast is associated with weight gain, one of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Overweight and obesity account for up to 80 percent of new cases of type 2 diabetes.
A healthy diet containing leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, lean meat, fish and nuts can help reduce a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes and avoid complications in people with diabetes.
Reducing the prevalence of type 2 diabetes will result in an increased participation and productivity in the workforce, given that the greatest number of people with diabetes are between 40 and 59 years of age.