Experts have laid the blame for the incidence of diabetes on industries that produce unhealthy foods, sugar-sweetened drinks, tobacco, as well as harmful use of alcohol and lack of exercise.
Diabetes is a non-communicable disease associated with increased level of glucose due to inadequate supply of insulin (known as Type 1 diabetes) or inability to use insulin efficiently (known as Type 2 diabetes).
Though the exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown, the probable causes are genetics and environmental factors, such as exposure to viruses, experts say; adding that, on the other hand, Type 2 diabetes is largely linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Diabetes remains a risk factor for most health conditions including cancer, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and impotence.
The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide, and it is projected that by the year 2030, over 500 million adults will be affected by the noncommunicable disease.
Diabetes remains a risk factor for most health conditions including cancer, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and impotence
A Medical Imaging Scientist, Dr. Livinus Abonyi, said the increase could be as a result of urbanisation and aging of the population.
He explained that the risk for diabetes mellitus increases with advancing age, noting that this could be because aging is often accompanied by decline in lean body mass and increase in body fat, particularly visceral adiposity (overweight), which may contribute to the development of insulin resistance.
Abonyi, who heads the Department of Radiography, University of Lagos, said the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is still lower in rural areas than in urban communities due to the unhealthy lifestyle associated with urban areas. He addas that diabetes is also hereditary.
the risk for diabetes mellitus increases with advancing age
In terms of contribution of harmful food products to the incident of diabetes, he said, “No sane nation leaves her citizens to consume all kinds of food and drug products without effective regulation.
“In Nigeria, all kinds of drinks, noodles and food products are in circulation and freely consumed by the citizens without proper quality assurance and approval for human consumption.
“Aside the hereditary nature of diabetes, self-medication is another factor that is promoting high incidence of diabetes in Nigeria; there is a general attitude of self-medication in Nigeria,” he said.
Abonyi laments that the average Nigerian prescribes one type of drug or the other to the neighbour, colleague or relation who complains of any illness, without the involvement of qualified medical personnel.
“The effect of this attitude applies to even to foetuses, growing children and adults. Drugs affect major organs of the body when drugs are taken without medical supervision, the body’s organs begin to fail early in life, leading to diabetes,” he said.
On dietary habits, the medical imaging scientist said, “Many Nigerians eat wrongly. They eat whatever they like without recourse to the long-term health implications.
“People eat as a status symbol, and this attitude accounts for high incidence of childhood obesity,” Abonyi added.
War against diabetes
Dr. Bolanle Okunowo, an Endocrinologist with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), urged Nigerians to cultivate healthy eating habit.
The consultant physician advised members of the public to reduce intake of refined diet and increase the intake of diets high in fiber.
According to her, there is also need to reduce high caloric diet which can lead to obesity and subsequently, causing insulin resistance.
The endocrinologist stressed the need for regular medical checkup, saying that if a routine checkup shows prediabetes, it could be reverted to normal glucose with the help of good medical advice and treatment.
“Exercise regularly and avoid sedentary lifestyle. Avoid smoking and reduce or avoid alcohol use, including energy drinks,” Okunowo counsels.
On the role the government could play in reducing the burden of diabetes among the populace, Okunowo suggested that the government should increase tax on high sugar/energy drinks and reduce tax on low or no sugar drinks to discourage intake of high caloric drinks.
She also suggested the need for health education using various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Podcast, radio and television.
