FOR
the past seven years, diabetes has been the leading cause of death in Brunei,
stated the Ministry of Health's information booklet for 2010.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has
estimated that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes. This
number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. On the
incidence of this likelihood in Brunei, The Brunei Times talks with Dr Yung
Chee Kwang, an acting specialist (Diabetes and Endocrinology) at the Diabetes
Centre, Ripas.
"This is a very likely scenario in our
local population partly due to our lifestyle changes, urbanisation happening in
Brunei, the introduction of western food, lack of exercise and healthy choice
of food not commonly practiced," said Dr Yung on the possibility of Brunei's
rate of diabetes doubling in the coming years.
Calling diabetes a "lifestyle
disease", Dr Yung said it comes down to people's choice. Leading a
sedentary lifestyle and not exercising as much as they should be has escalated
the prevalence of diabetes in the local population, he explained. An increase
weight and subsequently obesity which is a risk factor for diabetes follow as a
result.
"How we take care of our body now do have
implications later on," said Dr Yung.
As society progresses towards modernisation
and globalisation, it not only has an impact on our increased standard of
living, rather our exposure to these "convenience" in life has a
detrimental impact on our health, he said.
"The pace of life has changed with time
and people are cooking less at home and opting for fast, easy and convenient
food outside," explained Dr Yung .
Parents, as role models, have to realise that
their actions and behaviours will have an impact on their children in the
future.
As a "lifestyle disease", Dr Yung explained
that it is possible to prevent diabetes provided there is a change in lifestyle
by eating healthily and exercising at least 30 minutes a day.
"Just be losing 5-10 per cent of your
body weight will actually make a big difference. Studies across the United
States, Finland and China show that a dietary and lifestyle intervention
actually can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by at least 50 per
cent," said Dr Yung.
He likened this loss in body weight as
"even better than the use of certain drugs to halt the development of
diabetes".
It cannot be stressed more than enough but
"diet lifestyle is the best preventive measure" one can do, said Dr
Yung.
"If people can change their lifestyles by
adopting a healthy eating habit and be active, diabetes can be prevented."
"If we do not make the change now, we
will see the number of diabetes cases rise exponentially out of control in our
country," emphasised Dr Yung.
Moreover, Dr Yung said a majority of patients
do not necessarily have symptoms when they are diagnosed with diabetes.
However, the public should be aware of symptoms such as feeling thirsty,
passing urine frequently, weight loss or feeling lethargic.
The specialist advised that in the prevention
of diabetes complications, it is important to control blood sugar level to
regulate the diseases as well as controlling blood pressure and cholesterol
levels.
Diabetes takes centrestage today, as the World
Diabetes Day (WDD) is observed worldwide in a bid to increase awareness on the
disease and prevention methods.
MUN FUNG
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
The Brunei Times
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment