(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Obesity is one of the best documented risks of developing diabetes - and the only cause that could be controlled by individuals, says an expert.
People should change their eating habits to avoid getting the lifestyle disease or delay its onset, according to Herluf Nis Thomsen, Senior Project Manager, Action on Diabetes. "You can't change your genes or your family history. But obesity is something you can do about," he told this daily.
International Association for the Study of Obesity has predicted that 73 percent of women and 69 percent of men will be obese by 2015.
World Diabetes Day 2014 commemorated yesterday marked the first of a three-year (2014-16) focus on healthy living and diabetes. It was under the slogan 'Diabetes: Protect our future'.
The campaign focuses on promoting 'make healthy food the easy choice', 'healthy eating: Make the right choice' and 'healthy eating begins with breakfast'. "Obesity comes from two main factors: Bad eating habits and lack of exercise. If we want to fight obesity, targeting either is not enough. It goes hand in hand to be efficient. And it takes real sustained changes to habits," said Thomsen.
On healthy eating habits, he said, "It is (relatively) easy to eat salad for a week, because you know it's only for a week. But what about taking white bread out of your diet for a year? Or serving yourself vegetables on half your plate every time you have dinner? Or not snacking at all? Or stop soft drinks all together?
"That's much harder, but unfortunately steps like these are the ones that make a difference in the long-term fight against obesity."
Meanwhile, several activities are being held to screen diabetes and create awareness about the condition which is common among 17 percent of people in the country. Visitors to Katara can have check-ups today at the 'Screening Village' from 4pm onwards. The Fourth Annual Diabetics Screening Village is organised by Action on Diabetes and sponsored by Mearsk Oil.
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