Silent killer stalking country’s elderly
Diabetes is leading cause of death among South Africans over 60, says Statssa report
THE STATISTICS SA (Statssa) report on selected health indicators among the elderly showed that diabetes mellitus was the leading cause of death among people over 60, accounting for almost 9.1 percent of deaths.
The next major causes were cerebrovascular diseases (CVD), hypertensive diseases, other forms of heart disease and ischaemic heart diseases.
The three most common underlying causes were a sedentary lifestyle which, combined with the nutritional transition to a more “Western” diet characterised by the shift to highly refined diets high in fat, salt and caloric sweeteners, and low in fibre, fruit and vegetables, results in obesity.
Kwazulu-natal had the highest levels of their elderly being overweight/obese at more than
77.5 percent, followed closely by the Western Cape at 77.4 percent.
If you look at a hamburger, a fizzy cooldrink and a banana on a couch, the biggest risk factor is the couch, as being a “couch potato” is what will lead to obesity and high blood pressure. This is reflected in the disparity between urban and nonurban people as the latter tend to get off the couch and walk around more.
In urban areas, more than 70 percent of the elderly were
High blood pressure is regarded as one of Africa’s greatest health challenges after HIV/AIDS
SA Demographic and Health Survey
overweight/obese, while non-urban areas recorded 63.9 percent. The percentage of overweight/obese males in urban areas was 60.5 percent, almost double the normal weight at 32.9 percent, while there was a more even split in non-urban areas with normal weight at 45.5 percent and overweight/obese at 47.0 percent.
There were also differences among population groups. The Indian/asian group had the highest proportion, with 28.6 percent with diabetes in the SA Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS 2016). Among the remaining three population groups, 26.9 percent of the elderly from the coloured group had diabetes; 14 percent of the black African group and 10.6 percent of the white group.
Almost 8 percent of the population is aged 60 and older, or 4.2 million people, with KZN having the second-largest number after Gauteng. There is an increase in chronic morbidity associated with people living longer and an expanding proportion of older people, which puts pressure on the health services.
Hypertension or high blood pressure has emerged as a significant medical and public health problem and is regarded as one of the Africa’s greatest health challenges after HIV and Aids.
Hypertension is the single most prevalent CVD risk factor and the predominant contributor to CVD morbidity and mortality.
South Africa has the highest prevalence of hypertension in sub-saharan Africa, and the largest number of people whose blood pressure is still not controlled, even while on treatment.
The SADHS 2016 revealed that 46 percent of women and 44 percent of men aged 15-49 have hypertension and it rises with age.
About 84 percent of men 65 and over have elevated blood pressure.