Eating Healthy - Diabetes in resource-poor Africa

Diadetes best known in African languages as a “disease of sugar” is virtually getting out of hand.
Many of us over 50 years old with a sweet tooth are suffering yet we most likely would feel so much better if we cut out sugar from our diets altogether. Of course it is not just increased sugar intake that is associated with diabetes.

Global health experts have watched with increasing alarm as the waistlines of people in developing countries have started to widen with the adoption of a "Western" lifestyle. Obesity is of such concern because of its heightened risks for other diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

In developing countries, the number of people with diabetes is set to rise to 228 million by 2030 from 84 million estimated in 2000. The link between obesity and diabetes is strong because obesity renders individuals unable to properly process glucose — about 90% of type 2 diabetes is due to being overweight. Obesity and diabetes also raise the risk for cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy was the most common cause of end-stage renal disease in 9 out of 10 Asian countries, which could be deadly for countries unable to cope with the health repercussions.

The prevalence of diabetes has reached epidemic proportions.
WHO predicts that developing countries will bear the brunt of this epidemic in the 21st century, with 80% of all new cases of diabetes expected to appear in the developing countries by 2025.

Lack of sufficient diagnosis and treatment

Diabetes costs a burden for families and society

If you are looking for more in depth information on the epidemic of diabetes, costs on care or other relevant information you can access the following tools here:

 Compiled by:
Ruth Oniang’o