This month marks the fifth yr for the reason that Ministry of Well being declared struggle on diabetes. Whereas the struggle is ongoing, we ought to be aware that it can’t be received with out successful the battles in opposition to weight problems and smoking in Singapore.
Nearly 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 creating Sort 2 diabetes.
The battle with the bulge must take primacy within the struggle on diabetes. Obscure messages resembling encouraging a wholesome life-style or consuming much less white rice are lacking the forest for the timber.
Smoking as one other main contributory issue for diabetes is conspicuously lacking in public well being messaging. In line with the US Meals and Drug Administration, people who smoke are at larger threat of creating Sort 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 relating to 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 subsequent section within the struggle on diabetes ought to concentrate on these main contributors to the chance of creating diabetes.
Lim Teck Koon
