‘Women and youngsters at higher risk of diabetes’

PGMI principal says families ‘buying the disease’ from fast food restaurants

Pakistan was placed fifth in the world with regards to the prevalence of diabetes and women were more susceptible to succumbing to the disease, said Principal Post Graduate Medical Institute and Lahore General Hospital (PGMI &LGH) Dr Muhammad Al-fareed Zafar. He was addressing a function held on “Diabetes and Families” in the city.

“Unfortunately, in Pakistan, diabetes has become a family disease and the new generation is not saved from it,” he said. According to Dr Zafar, people who have diabetes in their genes must be more careful and take measures to prevent it.

“Excessive intake of fast food and lack of morning walks have become major reasons for diabetes among youngsters,” he said. He added that the condition made patients lethargic and obese.

Dr Zafar emphasised the need to save the new generation from diabetes and parents have an important role in it.  They must keep a vigilant check on the use of computers and cell phones. “Parents take themselves and their children to restaurants to buy these diseases,” he said.  “Mothers should take interest in their kitchens and make home food for their kids,” he added.

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He stated that until 1980, 4.3% of men had diabetes and this rate more than doubled in 2014 and reached 9%. At the same time, this ratio among women went from 5.1 to 7.9% during the corresponding time period.

According to him, one should have regular medical checkups, especially if it runs in their family. Similarly, high blood pressure and proper working of the heart should also be ensured.

“Smoking should be avoided at all costs and feet must be in good condition,” he said. “Moreover, kidneys, eyes and the heart must also be checked regularly and there should be no risk in this regard,” he added. If someone notices any symptoms of diabetes, they should not go for self-medication and immediately visit a hospital and act upon the advice of the doctor, as per Dr Zafar.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2019.