Eating too much fast food and little exercise have resulted in 14 per cent of the population suffering with type two diabetes, which, according to the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) CEO Anil Gosine, is way above the global average.
The effect of this was 15,552 diabetic patients being treated by the RHA between October 2014 and September 2015.
Speaking at the launch of the La Romain Diabetes Support Group at the La Romain Health Centre yesterday, Gosine said that rate was too high, especially as one in every two people afflicted with diabetes was unaware of that. “Yes, we are between 12 to 14 per cent of the population. Normally the average worldwide would be about eight to ten per cent.
“While there are some countries with very low rates, you have some that are about average. In Trinidad now, it is above average in type two diabetes.
“It is really about people’s lifestyle. It is also hereditary and genes but lifestyle really... maybe affluence but not following the proper diet.
“We are talking about healthy lifestyle and healthy eating and this is what we need to get the population geared towards, the type of foods that we need to eat,” Gosine added.
While the SWRHA was trying to promote the formation of more diabetes groups, Gosine said each health centre already had a diabetes clinic.
However, he added, citizens have a responsibility to themselves to eat healthy, beginning with a proper breakfast. He said nutritionists could advise people on the healthy food they needed for each meal of the day.
“You will find that it is easy for someone to go to the fast food outlets and pick up food, eat it and then be satisfied. That is one of the main contributing factors.
“There are some places that you can purchase breakfast and you will get a proper meal but you just need to know what your lifestyle is and what types of food you need to eat,” Gosine added.
The La Romaine Diabetes Support Group is being chaired by senior public relations officers in the Ministry of Communication Asha Samaroo. The group was formed on May 23 with the aim of reducing the onset of type two diabetes through lifestyle changes and awareness.
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According to the World Health Organisation, the global prevalence of diabetes in 2014 was estimated to be nine per cent among adults 18 years and over. WHO states that more than 80 per cent of diabetes deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries and projects that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030.
For more information: log onto http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/