China is home to one-third of the world’s diabetes patients according to a study published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association1, with sedentary lifestyles and less healthy diet as key risk factors. Recognizing World Diabetes Day that falls on 14 November this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) is making people across China aware of simple lifestyle changes that can dramatically reduce the risks.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar). Raised levels of blood sugar, a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes, may lead to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. In progressive stages of the disease it can cause serious health problems such as the loss of eye sight, kidney failure or the loss of limbs.
“Obesity is the number one risk factor for diabetes. Increased intake of fat and sugar in food and drinks, together with a lack of physical activity has greatly increased the risks for the disease,” said Dr Bernhard Schwartländer, the World Health Organization Representative in China.
“The risk of diabetes can be significantly reduced by just 30 minutes of physical activity every day,” said Dr Schwartländer. "There are simple things you can do every day to protect your health: take the stairs, walk to the office instead of using the car, and reduce sugar and fat as you eat and drink."
The World Health Organization estimates that 347 million people in the world have diabetes. By 2030 it will be the 7th leading cause of death in the world. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, amputation and kidney failure.
“In emerging economies like China, there is a real risk of the economic gains from rapid growth and economic development being wiped out by the economic losses from premature mortality, low productivity and workforce participation, caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes if urgent action is not taken to reduce the burden,” said Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2012 diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths. More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
1. Journal of the American Medical Association, March 2014.