This month marks the fifth 12 months because the Ministry of Well being declared battle on diabetes. Whereas the battle is ongoing, we needs to be conscious that it can’t be gained with out successful the battles in opposition to weight problems and smoking in Singapore.
Virtually 4 in 10 Singaporeans are obese or overweight, which considerably contributes to the prevalence of diabetes in Singapore. Weight problems is claimed to account for 80 per cent to 85 per cent of the chance of growing Kind 2 diabetes.
The battle with the bulge must take primacy within the battle on diabetes. Obscure messages equivalent to encouraging a wholesome life-style or consuming much less white rice are lacking the forest for the bushes.
Smoking as one other main contributory issue for diabetes is conspicuously lacking in public well being messaging. In response to the US Meals and Drug Administration, people who smoke are at larger threat of growing Kind 2 diabetes than non-smokers, as smoking causes insulin resistance.
Not solely is smoking strongly linked to diabetes, however second-hand smoke additionally drastically boosts diabetes threat.
The reticence in our public well being training concerning the connection between tobacco smoke and diabetes weakens our efforts to fight diabetes.
Moreover, present safety in opposition to residential second-hand smoke publicity is non-existent.
The following part within the battle on diabetes ought to deal with these main contributors to the chance of growing diabetes.
Lim Teck Koon
