The UAE intends to benefit from a newly published US medical research, as 15 percent of its small but sizeable population is estimated to have diabetes related to lifestyle choices.
According to Gulf News, experts attribute the high percentage to people’s unhealthy lifestyles in the oil-rich country.
A four-year study has conclusively proved that the onset of diabetes can be delayed, and in some cases prevented, by certain lifestyle changes.
Dr. Humaira Naseer, Diabetologist and Endocrinologist at Welcare Hospital, said: "According to figures released by the ministry of health, 15 percent is very high for a country with such a small population.
"The recently released results from the extensive Trial Diabetes Prevention Program conducted by the US National Institute of Health over the past four years, have proved that the onset of diabetes can be delayed and in some cases prevented with lifestyle changes."
Earlier, a few small studies had been done in China and Finland, but the four-year US program used 3,234 patients of diverse ethnic origins, ages, and medical problems related to impaired glucose tolerance, which leads to diabetes.
"All possible cases were looked into, with 27 centers across the country participating in the effort," Dr Naseer told the paper. "The patients were divided into four groups. The first one was given a diet and exercise regimen. The second group was put on metformin medication along with being given advice on lifestyle changes.
"The third group was just given advice on diet and exercise but weren't tracked.
"The fourth group was given yet another medication, but the drug was later withdrawn from the market due to some toxic liver side-effects. So that test group was discontinued."
She said in the first group, there was a 58 percent reduction in the incidence of diabetes, while the second showed a 31 percent decrease. There was a small percentage fall in the third group too.
"The reduction in the first group was seen even in patients above 60 years of age. So this is a confirmation that exercise and dietary control can help keep diabetes at bay as long as possible," said the expert.
She explained that the patients in the first group just did about 30 minutes of brisk walking or biking for five days in a week. The weight loss was seven percent and then maintained at five percent.
"So the reduction was not very dramatic. In fact, patients are advised against eating too little, then the metabolism of the body lowers and there is no decrease in weight," she said.
The best way is to reduce the fat content while eating well-balanced meals, according to Dr Naseer.
Diabetes is linked to a number of medical complications like high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a leading killer in the UAE.
Statistics released by the ministry of health for 1989-1998 show that CVD was the leading cause of death.
US researchers are now looking into CVD with respect to the data from the study – Albawaba.com
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