Higher Population Council marks International Day of Diabetes, outlines prevention, control measures

AMMAN — The Higher Population Council marked the International Day of Diabetes, which falls on November 14 of each year, by turning the public’s attention to the increased risk of the disease among Jordanians.

The council’s statistics show that the number of Jordanians diagnosed with diabetes has increased from 6.8 per cent in 1996 to 19.6 per cent in 2016.

This 13 per cent rise was described as “alarming” by Hosni Sadeq, a doctor who specialises in treating diabetes.

“What is even more alarming than this increase is that the Jordanian lifestyle itself, with minimal physical activity and dense eating, is not changing fast enough to combat the increase,” he added.

Council statistics show that 66 per cent of people are overweight or obese in Jordan, putting more than 2 million adults at “high” risk of diabetes, while 13 per cent of children aged 13 to 15 years of age are obese.

The “lifestyle” Sadeq described has smoking at its core, as 50 per cent of men and 6 per cent of women are smokers, while 10 per cent started smoking between the ages of 10 and 14 years, and 48 per cent between 15 and 18.

 When it comes to exercise, which would help in avoiding or controlling the disease, Jordanians are at a “great disadvantage”, according to Sadeq, with council numbers showing that more than 50 per cent of citizens do not engage in physical activity.

“World Diabetes Day comes within the framework of the council’s policies to improve the qualitative characteristics of the population and reduce the spread of diabetes,” read a council statement.

The day has become an official day listed by the United Nations since 2006. It was chosen because it coincides with the birth anniversary of Sir Frederick Banting, a scientist who discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

The statement expressed the council’s hopes to strengthen the role of the family in dealing with diabetes, especially with the increasing spread of the disease, as the issue of awareness has become a necessity to reduce damage.