DOHA: The increasing number of people with undiagnosed diabetes is a growing problem in Qatar, say experts.
An estimated 2,82,553 people have diabetes and 41 percent of them are undiagnosed, Herluf Nis Thomen, Project Manager, Action on Diabetes, told a press conference yesterday.
According to Action on Diabetes, one in five people in Qatar are affected by diabetes and they constitute 20 percent of the population. The number of people with undiagnosed diabetes has increased by 2,672 since 2011.
“People with high risk of diabetes should do early screening,” said Thomen.
Family members are at a greater risk if a close member has type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure or suffers a heart attack or stroke. People who do not have diabetes are at greater risk if they smoke, are overweight, eat food that is high in fat, sugar and salt, and don’t exercise enough.
A survey by Action on Diabetes found that many people between 18 and 64 years in Qatar are at risk of developing diabetes.
A total of 2,496 people responded to the survey and 29 percent of males were smokers, compared to one percent women.
The mean age of starting smoking was 19 years. And 91 percent of respondents said they ate less fruits and vegetables.
About 82 percent of female respondents were not involved in any physical activity compared with 60 percent of men.
About 70 percent people were overweight, which is one of the main causes of diabetes. Another 12 percent men and 14 percent women had high blood pressure, according to the survey. Action on Diabetes is a public-private partnership between the Supreme Council of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar Diabetes Association, Maersk Oil and world leader in diabetes care Novo Nordisk.
The Peninsula
