Diabetes epidemic spreading rapidly in UAE and world
Healthy lifestyle and exercise reduces the risk of getting diabetic by 60%
- By Mahmood Saberi, Senior Reporter
- Published: 20:23 November 14, 2013
- Patients wait at the reception of Dubai Diabetes Centre at Latifa Hospital.There is more alarming news in the UAE as Type 2 Diabetes, which is a lifestyle disease, is affecting children and teens. Picture used for illustrative purposes only
Dubai: The diabetes epidemic is relentlessly spreading and one in 10 people across the globe will be suffering from this disease within the next two decades.
There is more alarming news in the UAE as Type 2 Diabetes, which is a lifestyle disease, is affecting children and teens.
"We can't change the mindset of the adults, we have to target the children," said Dr Ghaida Kaddaha, head of the diabetes unit at Rashid Hospital. "They are developing their habits now, we have to make sure they inculcate healthy habits," she said.
The doctor said the disease started targeting the children since the last 20 years.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, 1,400 people in the UAE died of diabetes related complications in 2011. "This is despite having the highest healthcare expenditure in the region," it said.
The UAE spends Dh6,500 per person per year just on treatment of diabetes and its related complications.
Presently 1.5 million people in the UAE suffer from diabetes and many more remain undiagnosed.
Dr Kaddaha said the disease is a silent worker. "The high blood sugar damages the tissues quietly. People come for totally unrelated tests, for a pre-employment check-up, or they come to the clinic suffering from a headache. A blood test then shows they are diabetic."
The doctor said fortunately the disease is preventable. "It is not destiny [that you will be diabetic]," she said. "Living a healthy lifestyle and increased physical activity will reduce the risk of getting diabetic by as much as 60 per cent. No medicine can do that," she said.
The doctor presented her talk on diabetes following an announcement of a new tablet launched in the UAE by the pharmaceutical company, MSD. A single tablet taken daily will help improve sugar control in diabetes patients, the company representatives said.
Doctor Kaddaha agreed that it would be good idea to stop food outlets selling over-sized drinks just like the New York City has done. Soft drinks contain large amounts of sugar, but the doctor noted that fast-food franchises are very "powerful" and getting them to comply may be difficult.
Children should be made aware that fast-food should never be part of their regular diet," she said.
She said prevention works. "Regular exercise works just like insulin and even works better," she said. "A brisk walk of 30 minutes every day for five times a week," will prevent the disease.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Health Authority announced yesterday that an awareness campaign targeted 30 schools in Dubai, helping children be aware of healthy living and good diet. This was done under the Princess Haya's initiative for the Development of Health, Physical Education and School Sports, it said.
The Diabetes Awareness Campaign also helps early detection of the disease and has screened more than 15,000 people across 14 government departments, it said.
Dr Ahmad Bin Kalban, CEO of Hospital Services at the DHA, said: "Diabetes is one of the major challenges facing the UAE and the region. It is a lifestyle disease and community education is a vital component to prevent new cases.
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