The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that joint efforts are ongoing to raise awareness about diabetes in the Maldives for International Diabetes Day.
According to a recent survey conducted by the health ministry, the Maldives National University (MNU), and WHO, 14% of the population in the country is overweight. The main reason why it is a concern is that it can lead to life-threatening and serious chronic diseases. One of the leading causes of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney diseases is the lack of sugar control. The health ministry stated that it is important to eat healthy foods, avoid processed foods, and exercise regularly to control blood sugar. In addition, the ministry said it is important to maintain a certain level of body weight and avoid smoking.
Diabetes is caused by the body's inability to produce insulin to balance the amount of glucose in the body or by preventing the body from using the insulin it produces. Three types of diabetes have been identified, including type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, which some individuals develop during pregnancy.
Additionally, doctors say that diabetes can be controlled with healthy eating habits and exercise. Symptoms commonly include excessive appetite, hunger, abnormal thirst, frequent urination, itching, fatigue, dizziness, constant desire to sleep, numbness in the limbs, blindness, and difficulty in seeing.
Diabetes is one of the increasing concerns of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Maldives. The theme for this year's International Diabetes Day is Access to Diabetes Care. The day is officially celebrated since November 14 in 2006 due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide.