KARACHI: Expressing concern over high prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan, experts at a scientific session held on Sunday at a local hotel advised people to reduce extra fat through regular exercise and dietary changes as this would help them reduce diabetes risk by up to 58 per cent.

They pointed out that the prevalence of obesity had increased in children and adolescents in developing countries. In Pakistan, they noted, the number of obese people had tripled in recent years.

The event was organised by Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) and the WHO Collaborating Centre in Karachi.

Sharing data on the status of diabetes care, Prof Abdul Basit, the DAP secretary general, in a session dedicated to late Prof Abdus Samad Shera, said Pakistan was one of the countries with a very high prevalence rate of diabetes.

“Currently, there are over 19 million people with diabetes in the country and 26.2 million Pakistanis will have diabetes by the year 2030. Nearly 9.6 million children are overweight and obese,” he said, adding that prevalence of hypertension had doubled in the country.

50pc reduction in amputation

He also talked about the network of foot clinics for diabetics established with the support of World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) and said the 150 clinics established across the country had resulted in the reduction of amputation rate by 50 per cent.

Another important initiative taken with the support of the WDF, he informed the audience, was Insulin My Life model clinics set up across Sindh with an aim to provide Type 1 Diabetes care.

“So far, 34 clinics have been established providing free-of-cost care to children and adolescents. To build capacity, we have introduced the multidisciplinary team approach in diabetes care. “

About future plans, he said these projects included constitution of the National Health Network for Diabetes Control and Prevention and community level awareness programmes.

Talking about lifestyle management and diabetes, Prof M. Zaman Shaikh, the DAP joint secretary, said diabetes prevention was as basic as eating more healthy.

“Becoming more physically active and losing extra fat is vital. It’s never too late to start. Making a few simple changes in your lifestyle now may help avoid the serious health complications of diabetes down the road. There are many benefits of regular physical activity that help lose weight, lower blood sugar, boost sensitivity to insulin, which helps keep blood sugar within a normal range,” he noted.

Citing a trial held in the US, he said the participants who lost around seven per cent of initial body weight and exercised regularly reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58 per cent.

Dr Shaikh warned that childhood obesity must not be taken lightly as it “may be a predisposing factor” for many diseases.

Prof Shabeen Naz Masood, the DAP joint secretary, Karachi, shared her insights into gestational diabetes mellitus and described it as glucose intolerance that began or first diagnosed during pregnancy and usually resolved after delivery.

“One in seven births is affected by gestational diabetes mellitus. It’s a growing health concern in many parts of the world. Pakistani population is especially vulnerable to developing this condition because of genetic, social, and environmental factors,” she said.

The gestational diabetes had serious, long-term consequences for both baby and mother, including a predisposition to obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes later in life, she added.

Retired Lt General Moinuddin Haider, the chief guest and former Sindh governor, appreciated DAP’s efforts towards diabetes care in Pakistan.

Farhana Tabassum, director of Undergraduate Programmes at Ziauddin University, College of Nursing, and Prof Noor Jehan Samad also spoke.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2020