Bittersweet facts about diabetes

In 2005, one of every 25 Filipinos had diabetes. But in 2012, the Philippine Council for Research and Development Library found that one of five Filipino adults, or approximately 11 million people—9.7% of the adult population—had diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Locally, this makes diabetes a major health problem. In fact, diabetes is a growing epidemic worldwide, affecting more than 230 million people from all over the globe. The International Diabetes Federation predicts that this number is expected to exceed 350 million by the year 2025.

In celebration of World Diabetes Day last November 14, the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM), as part of UNITE for Diabetes, organized a conference to present information about the disease. Three doctors from the PSEM—Dr. Michael Villa, Dr. Monica Cating-Cabral, and Dr. Jocelyn Capuli-Isidro—presented useful facts in the prevention and management of diabetes.

Here are some of the most “bittersweet” facts the doctors discussed:

Tests begin at 40. If you are Filipino and 40 years old and above, you need to get your blood sugar tested, especially if you are overweight. According to a 2008 study, the biggest jump in the prevalence of diabetes happens between ages 40 and 49. Those who are 45 years old and older but not overweight still need to check with their doctor if they should get the test. People younger than 45 but who are overweight and have risk factors should definitely get tested.

Pre-diabetes may show no symptoms. When one’s blood glucose is higher than normal but not yet within the range of diabetes levels, then the patient is said to have pre-diabetes. It means that he or she has 20-50 percent chance of developing Type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years. Pre-diabetes, however, can be addressed with proper diet, weight loss, and exercise.

Losing 5-10% of body weight produces 58% reduction in the incidence of diabetes. According to a study on diabetes prevention, 30 minutes of moderate physical activity together with five to 10% weight lost decreases incidence of diabetes by more than half. Recommended is moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for 150 minutes a week, spread to at least 3 days weekly. Twice weekly resistance training is also recommended for adults with type 2 diabetes as long as they can do these types of exercises safely.

Food is key. To prevent diabetes, one must increase intake of vegetables and other high-fiber foods. Fruits, however, must be consumed in moderation because some of these contain simple sugars. It is also important to use less fat when cooking and to avoid fatty, fried or oily foods, as well as food items that are high in saturated fats and calories. For best results, daily calorie count in the diet must be distributed as follows: 30% from fat (of which only 7% should come from saturated fat), 20% protein, and 50% complex carbohydrates, for energy.

Know if you are at risk. PSEM came up with the Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Screening of Diabetes. In this guideline, PSEM outlined the following risk factors for developing diabetes:

• being overweight (BMI is 23 or higher) or obese (BMI is 25 or higher)
• a sedentary lifestyle
• hypertension (blood pressure is 140/90 or higher)
• has a history of pre-diabetes and/or any vascular diseases like stroke and coronary artery disease; schizophrenia
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• belonging to a high-risk race/ethnicity or family (first degree relative has diabetes)
• has a history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing 8 pounds or more
• having a waist circumference of 90cm or more for males and 80cm or more for females
• having a waist-to-hip ratio of 1 or more for males and 0.85 or more for females
• and HDL level of less than 35 mg/dL and triglyceride level of more than 250 mg/dL
• and acanthosis nigricans, or dark pigmentation on the neck area

Experts agree that it is important to identify those who are at risk from the disease and, once identified, it is equally crucial to check their blood sugar levels and to educate them about the prevention and management of their disease.

This is the goal for humanity, which is expected to have more than double the number of diabetics by 2025 in places like Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. — VC, GMA News