World Diabetes Day : "Diabetes Protect our Future"

Dr Th Premchand Singh *

Diabetes is one of the major health problems in the world. There are currently 371 million people living with diabetes and 280 people at high risk of developing diabetes and it is estimated that by 2030 half a billion people will be diabetics in the world. China has 92.3 million people with diabetes and remains the country with the highest number of diabetic population. India has 63 million people with diabetes, the next highest after China with an estimated prevalence of 9 percent.

By 2030, this figure is estimated to go up to 101.1 million. But the bigger worry is the numbers that go undiagnosed - that is for every diabetic, there are four more who are pre diabetic.

Another concern, type two diabetes, triggered by sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits is hitting Indians much younger now. President of the International Diabetes Federation Professor Jean Claude Mbanya rightly said, 'Major number of diabetics are in the middle and low income countries."

The reason why more people in India are having diabetes is because of sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, obesity, stress and consumption of diets rich in fat, sugar and calories. Sugar consumption is much higher in India in the form of sweets consumed on various occasions leading to higher risk of diabetes.

Diabetes if not controlled leads to a number of complications involving almost all the organs of the body specially eyes, nerves, brain, kidney and heart. The most common cause of blindness, kidney failure and heart attack in the world today is because of poorly controlled diabetes.

World Diabetes Day was launched in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Health Organisation (WHO) in response to concerns about the escalating health threat from diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225.

World Diabetes Day is celebrated all over the globe every year on 14 th November. It marks the birthday of Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best discovered insulin in Toronto in the year 1922. It was the greatest discovery of our time which could save billions of life . The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.

The World Diabetes Day campaign 2013 marks the fifth and final year of the 2009-2013 campaign on "Diabetes Education and Prevention". Each year a new theme is chosen by the IDF to address issues facing the global diabetes community. The campaign slogan for 2013 is "Diabetes: Protect our future ".

The International Diabetes Federation and other diabetic associations wishes to give the message that diabetes is preventable with some simple lifestyle changes. In this campaign every association and organisation, companies, healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes and their families has a role to play. There is enough evidence that the development of diabetes can be prevented by achieving a healthy body weight and moderate physical activity combined with a balanced high fiber low fat diet. Smoking and stress also have been associated with development of diabetes.

Regular physical activity improves the health of your lungs, heart and circulatory system and helps to bring down the blood sugar level as well as the blood pressure. A number of studies has shown that regular physical activity can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes mellitus. Aerobic exercises are good for the heart and it has multiple health benefits other than lowering blood pressure and blood sugar like it prevents heart attack, bone fracture and even cancer.

Walking, skipping rope, cycling, swimming, climbing staircases, gardening and dancing are all aerobic exercises. Walking remains the best exercise which does not cost any money and which can be done anywhere and anytime. As a general goal, one should aim 30 to 45 minutes of brisk walking a day . The duration may be divided into three 15- minute sessions throughout the day. Walking to the market or cycling to the office are better options for a healthy lifestyle.

Along with regular physical activity eating a balanced healthy diet is important to maintain a healthy life. The nutritional needs of a person are virtually the same everyone else: no special foods or complicated diets are necessary. It is simply a healthy eating plan that is high in nutrients, low in fat, and moderate in calories. The balanced diet should contain carbohydrate, protein and fat and the micronutrients.

Carbohydrate is in rice or chapatti, protein in fish, lean meat, lentils and dals. Nuts, seeds and beans also contain protein. Unsaturated fat like vegetable oils is preferable than the saturated fats like butter and ghee. The diet should contain a liberal amount fibres which is present in vegetables and fresh fruits. Green vegetables and fruits are also a major source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidents.

The message International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Health Organisation (WHO) want to give to the public is that observing these simple lifestyle will lead to a healthy and disease free life. It will prevent the development of diabetes and will protect our future. Live healthy stay healthy.