Online Reporter
The Herald 23 October 1993
DIABETES is increasing dramatically across the world and millions of people are unaware they have the potentially dangerous condition, the International Diabetes Federation said yesterday.
The Brussels-based body said research published by the World Health Organisation showed dramatic rises in the prevalence of diabetes, especially in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, South East Asia and the western Pacific.
In such areas diabetes can often affect 20 percent of the adult population, rising to 50 percent in some cases, the IDF said in a statement ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14.
Across the world, around 100 million people or 6 percent of the adult population, have diabetes, a figure that has tripled since 1987, the IDF said.
Diabetes is the third most frequent cause of death in industrialised countries, after heart disease and cancer.
In its most common form, diabetes mellitus, sugar and starch are not properly absorbed from the blood, causing thirst, emaciation and excessive excretion of urine with glucose.
“Early diagnosis is the only way to curb this chronic and very costly disease,” said IDF president Mr Wendell Mayes.
“Yet millions of people are unaware that they already have the first stages of diabetes. A simple blood or urine test will catch diabetes before diabetic complications have occurred.
“Caught early, diabetes may involve only some simple dietary changes. Caught too late, diabetic complications include heart and kidney disease, blindness and amputations.” Mr Mayes said.
Lessons for today:
- According to research over 800 million adults now live with diabetes worldwide, a fourfold increase since 1990.
- Low- and middle-income countries like Zimbabwe are seeing the fastest growth.
- Type 2 diabetes is rising due to obesity, poor diets, processed foods sedentary lifestyles, urbanisation, and lack of exercise.
- As highlighted in 1993, catching diabetes early can prevent complications like blindness, kidney failure and amputations.
- The 1993 warning about rising global rates has come true. Today’s response must be collaborative, involving governments, NGOs, employers and communities.
