KARACHI, Nov 14: A national diabetes prevention and management policy was strongly recommended in the wake of constant surge in the disease incidence, alarmingly among youth and adolescent. The recommendation was made at a symposium organized by the Dow University of Health University on Monday to commemorate World Diabetes Day.

Addressing at the symposium, health experts including Prof Salahuddin Afsar, Prof Khalid Memhood, Prof Zaaman Sheikh and Prof Illahi Bukhsh Soomro called for a multisectoral and multi-disciplinary approach to prevent and manage the disease.

Mentioning that 25 per cent of the local population is either already inflicted with the disease or at high risk, Prof Salahuddin Afsar attributed the situation to sedentary life style, unhealthy dietary habits, obesity and ageing.

He said that children and adolescent were also frequently witnessed to be suffering from Diabetes Type Two, besides Diabetes Type One registered among children. He further said it was necessary that people in general were educated about the scenario and how to prevent the onset of the ailment at the first and avoid its implications through a comprehensive programme.

Prof Salahuddin Afsar also urged the policy makers as well as community leaders and people in general to ensure adequate allocation of playgrounds, parks and sports-cum-recreation centres in all localities scattered across the country, inculcating healthy life style at all levels.

Maintaining that diabetes is increasing across the globe, he extensively referred to the studies showing South Asian people getting vulnerable to the disease with severe complications at much younger age. In this context, he also referred to some other studies establishing the fact that modified life style with emphasis on quality diet, constituting high fibre and low fat and sugar, coupled with regular physical activity (which may be 30 minutes brisk walk or swimming five days a week) could reduce the diabetes chances considerably or if already inflicted protect against its severe consequences. —APP