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According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 18.98% of the UAE population was living with diabetes in 2013. Further, UAE was ranked 15th worldwide for diabetes occurrence. The prevalence of the condition in adults between the ages of 20-79 is 10.02%. Also according to the IDF, the total number of diabetes sufferers, aged 20-79, per 1000 people is 745.94. These numbers are alarming especially since it indicates a sedentary lifestyle with an unhealthy diet.
“Diabetes is of two types: type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition where the body attacks the pancreas causing it to fail whereas type 2 diabetes is caused mainly by insulin resistance,” said Dr. Job Simon, Consultant - Endocrinology and Diabetes at Abu Dhabi’s premier tertiary healthcare institution, Burjeel Hospital. “Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas integral to the conversion of glucose to energy. Insulin resistance results in the pancreas overproducing the hormone. Over time the pancreas fails to produce this high amount of insulin resulting in the increase in blood sugar levels causing Type 2 diabetes.”
According to the IDF, Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly rampant across the UAE and is starting to affect all age groups. Insulin resistance is usually associated with obesity, stress and physical inactivity.
Dr. Simon attributes these factors to causing an increase of Type 2 diabetes in the country especially with the emergence and popularity of “fast food” and the hot summer months acting as a deterrent to exercise.
Another factor contributing to these statistics, Dr. Simon highlighted, is the rise in obesity amongst youngsters. “With both parents usually working, families opt for pre-cooked or packaged meals which are high in bad fats, sugar and sodium. Children start eating unhealthy at an early age and as they usually kill time with video games or with computers, the sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity, hence puts them at major risk for diabetes.”
While there is no recognized cure for the condition, Dr. Simon recommends getting yourself checked if you have any one of the following symptoms: increased hunger and thirst, excessive urination, unable to concentrate, lack of interest, unusual weight loss, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet and blurred vision.
If left untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure and cardiovascular disease.
Once diagnosed, the best way to manage diabetes is through exercise and diet. “Start walking for 30 minutes daily and gradually progress to a light jog while ensuring that you start making smarter choices in what you eat,” said Dr. Simon. “Green leafy vegetables, lean meats and fish high in omega oils are good choices to make. Children must be encouraged and should be exposed to healthy foods from a young age: instead of a donut, carrot sticks are way better.”
“Raising awareness on globally alarming medical conditions such as Diabetes is a serious matter. And Burjeel Hospital is committed to take part in the continuous worldwide efforts to prevent and decrease the incidence of diabetes,” said Clancey Po, the CEO of Burjeel Hospital. “Our commitment extends to offering world-class medical expertise combined with state-of-the-art technology to ensure that residents of the UAE will get only the best healthcare in the country and in the region.”
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