Horrifying diabetes statistics shows that every year, more and more people succumb to the ailment. Five major countries that have a staggering number of diabetic adults are Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and the U.S.
Huffington Post reported that in just four decades, worldwide statistics on diabetes had quadrupled. This is largely due to an unhealthy lifestyle that many people practice nowadays, plus the growing number of obese people all over the world.
According to the report, diabetes has become an issue for global public health. Doctors point to obesity as the most pervading risk factor that makes people prone to suffering from diabetes.
Majid Ezzati, who led the World Health Organization research on diabetes on a global scale, said, "Obesity is the most important risk factor for type 2 diabetes and our attempts to control rising rates of obesity have so far not proved successful."
Looking at data from 1980, they found that the ailment has become more common in men than in women. As to the underlying reason why this is so wasn't exactly specified. It was a data based on the numbers gathered from the research.
In terms of countries, low- and middle-income countries have become very susceptible to diabetes. For instance, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Pakistan were among those whose number of diabetics rose during the questioned period.
According to U.S. News, $825 billion every year is spent on managing and treating diabetes. This figure could have been spent on some other expenses if people started to practice a healthier lifestyle, which many doctors say can help combat diabetes.
Margaret Chan, director-general of WHO, said that with this appalling figures, there is an imperative need to make people aware of the ramifications of not living a healthy lifestyle. She said, "If we are to make any headway in halting the rise in diabetes, we need to rethink our daily lives: to eat healthily, be physically active, and avoid excessive weight gain."
Following the recommendations of WHO, now is the best time to start living a healthier and more active lifestyle. When more people practice these simple lifestyle changes, it will surely help curb diabetes on a global scale.
