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Obese persons more prone to diabetes: experts Karachi: Obesity, termed a major contributory factor in all diabetes type two cases in the country, is itself assuming alarming proportions among the local youth due to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary pattern. Speakers at a workshop, "Fight Obesity and Prevent Diabetes", held under the Pakistan Press Foundation on Thursday also referred to other obesity-induced health conditions ranging from coronary heart disease, cancers, hypertension, arthritis, infertility to depression. Surveys initiated in collaboration with the World Health Organization estimate diabetes prevalence among 16 per cent of local adults with another nine per cent of them inflicted with impaired glucose tolerance. This is in a situation where experts claim that some 36 per cent of diabetic do not consult any qualified professional or hospital lest are exposed to severe complications, again ranging from retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy to coronary problems and renal complications. WHO's Provincial Operations Officer for Sindh, Dr G.N. Kazi, in charge, Diabetes Clinic, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Dr Sohail Marfani, Dr Wakeel Abidi of the Pakistan Diabetic Association and research associate- Diet and Nutrition, Aga Khan Hospital, Ms Ayesha Zahid Khan, made their respective presentations at the session organized as part of the World Diabetes Day, to be observed on Nov 14. Dr Kazi, in his presentation defined diabetes mellitus as a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by high blood-glucose level and glycosuria resulting from dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells and insulin resistance. It was stated that as fat cells hampered efficiency of pancreas, insulin resistance was registered more commonly among obese individuals ultimately exposing them to diabetes type two. In the given backdrop, it was recommended that drugs, diet and changes in lifestyle were the major approaches used for the treatment and control of diabetes mellitus. Referring to obesity as a state of excessive fat, the speaker also mentioned that any individual weighing 20 per cent more than the desired weight could be identified as obese, and that nutrition care, counselling and non-pharmacological interventions could manage and prevent chronic diseases. The WHO coordinator warned that without effective prevention and control programmes, diabetes would increase globally to affect 366 million people by 2030, and that the ailment was currently the most common non- communicable diseases globally and the fourth leading cause of death in most developed countries. It was regretted that epidemiological studies suggest that many governments and public health planners remained unaware of the current magnitude of the problem. Dr Kazi further mentioned that diabetes was a costly diseases as type two diabetes accounted for between 3-6 per cent of total health expenditures in eight European countries. In Pakistan, where the total expenditure on health constituted a mere 0.8 per cent of the GNP, it was only recently that an 'Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases' has been launched, expected to pave the way for effective management of diabetes, and substantially reducing the risk of related complications. Dr Sohail Marfani, discussing three different types of diabetes, said that type one was registered among children due to non-production of insulin and type two diabetes among adults due to insulin resistance. He said type three diabetes was caused as a consequence to different diseases and drug intake. Reminding that obesity was itself a health problems, the speaker dispelled the impression that this could not be controlled and prevented. According to him, there are estimated to be eight million obese people in Pakistan, while another three million of them are identified to be clinically obese, and that obesity can reduce life expectancy by eight years. "80 per cent of individuals are over weight when diagnosed with diabetes," Dr Marfani said, mentioning that increase of weight by one Kg increased the risk for obesity by five per cent. Nutritionist Ayesha Zahid Khan in her presentation referred to the rising incidence of obesity among local women, particularly those residing in the city. She also referred to a study showing almost equal prevalence of obesity among local children. The Karachi-based study conducted by Dr Badarunisa of the Aga Khan Hospital showed that girl children (aged between five to 9 years) registered with private schools, had 32 per cent obesity prevalence compared to 30 per cent among those enrolled at the public schools. As for boys, it was 27 per cent among those registered with private schools and 22 per cent at the government schools. According to her, the trend noticed among children and youths, as well as growing prevalence of the health condition among common people enhances urgency to contain the trend through modification in behaviour with particular reference to healthy diet and increased physical activity.-APP Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)
