Diabetes Society of Maldives has expressed concern over the increase in prevalence of diabetes among young people as the country observes World Diabetes Day.
Diabetes is one of the most common lifestyle diseases in the country and around the world, and according to the latest statistics, 17,000 people are living with diabetes in the country.
Diabetes Society of Maldives is conducting free blood sugar testing at multiple locations across the country to mark the day.
According to statistics published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980.
The global prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population. This reflects an increase in associated risk factors such as being overweight or obese. Over the past decade, diabetes prevalence has risen faster in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
Diabetes caused 1.5million deaths in 2012. Higher-than-optimal blood glucose caused additional 2.2million deaths, by increasing the risks of cardiovascular and other diseases. Forty-three percent of these 3.7million deaths occur before the age of 70years. The percentage of deaths attributable to high blood glucose or diabetes that occurs prior to age 70 is higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.