What is Diabetes?

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that controls the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and protein for energy and maintenance/growth. There are two types of diabetes that affect this process:

Type I - Not having enough insulin produced in the pancreas

• Approximately 10% of all diabetes cases are Type I

Type II - Cells of the body not responding to insulin produced

• Approximately 90% of all diabetes cases are Type II

Type II is most common and most easily prevented

Rising Trends of Diabetes-Type II

According to the World Health Organization (accounting for the shifting age structure of the global population) the prevalence of diabetes among adults went from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2016.

The increase in diabetes is following population trends in urbanization namely

• Sedentary lifestyles with less physically demanding work
• Global nutrition transition to foods high in sugar and fats while lower in nutrients

• 422 million people worldwide
• 1.5 million deaths annually
• Type II Diabetes can be prevented!

Prevention and Treatment

1. Insulin treatments
2. Pharmaceuticals
3. Maintaining a healthy diet such as:
• Minimizing high sugar food and beverage intake
• Checking food labels to minimize sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup
• Substitute drinking fruit juices by eating fruit to balance the sugar with fiber
• Minimizing trans fatty acids and saturated fats by consuming nuts, vegetable oils, and fish
4. Regular physical activity and exercise
5. Regulating body weight
6. Avoiding the use of tobacco

Living with Diabetes

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be prevented and managed with:

• Balanced diet
• Regular physical activity
• Exercise
• Consistent blood sugar monitoring
• Medications

Click here to learn more about diabetes in your region from the International Diabetes Federation 

Prevention is Key!