KSA has alarming number of diabetics

(MENAFN- Arab News) A large number of shoppers at the Kingdom Tower made use of the public awareness campaign carried out by the Saudi Diabetes Society (SDS) during the weekend in Riyadh. The two-day program was organized by SDS in cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Friday and Saturday to attract shoppers and visitors to the Kingdom Mall in the capital. The whole place wore a bluish look to indicate observance to mark the World Diabetes Day. A team of doctors were present at the stalls to spread awareness about preventive measures against diabetes, as also to raise awareness about the dangers and precautions that should be taken if one has the disease. The exhibitors, mainly medics and paramedics, interacted with the visitors to disseminate information about obesity, cardiac complications and about diabetes among children and pregnant mothers. Brochures were distributed among the visitors highlighting the hazards of the chronic ailment. The visitors were also given an opportunity to test their glucose and blood pressure levels. There were 36 million diabetics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) alone, a spokesman of the SDS said, adding that "the global level is expected to reach 552 million diabetics by 2030." He pointed out that the Kingdom was among the top ten countries having the highest diabetics in the world, and that there was a 14 percent prevalence of the disease among people of all ages in the Kingdom. Diabetes Type 11 is normally found among adults, who have passed the age of 40. Children tend to get diabetes at an early stage due to obesity. It is also a hereditary disease, which normally occurs among 60 to 80 percent of those whose parents are diabetics. Diabetes mellitus type 2, which affects children, can be overcome by following healthy habits to control their weight. A well-balanced food regime, regular physical exercises and adequate rest are sufficient for restoring health, he said, adding that early detection of the disease will also help the patient to keep the disease under control with proper medication and medical advice.