KUCHING: The high incidence rate of diabetes in Sarawak of about one in six or seven individuals is reflective of overeating and the lack of exercise in urban living.
Citing the National Health and Morbidity report, Diabetes Malaysia Sarawak Branch chairman Dr William Voon said the incidence rate of diabetes in Malaysia was 21 percent, which is among the highest in the world.
“That means one person in five is living with diabetes. If we add those who are already showing signs of becoming diabetic, the incidence is even higher,” he told New Sarawak Tribune today.
He said although the incidence rate in Sarawak was not as high as the national statistics, it was still high.
“We find that our rural folk have lower incidence of diabetes. Rural folk generally move more, eat better, and are not as overweight — all related to a lower risk of diabetes,” he said.
On the age distribution of diabetes, he said generally the older an individual was, the more likely he/she would suffer from diabetes.
Dr Voon explained this was because the pancreas became weaker as one aged. In addition, he said as individuals grew older, they also tended to gain weight and exercise less, leading to an increased likelihood of getting diabetes.
“There is hardly any difference in diabetes prevalence when it comes to gender,” he said.
Dr Voon said proper lifestyle and diet as well as regular exercise played a significant part in Type 2 diabetes prevention.
He said most diabetics in Sarawak had Type 2 diabetes and were older. Type 1 diabetes, he said, was not as common.
“But Type 1 is more problematic to manage as the patients require insulin injections daily or sometimes even twice daily. Our Health Department provides them with insulin and needles, but they purchase the test strips to monitor their diabetes,” he said.
Dr Voon said Diabetes Malaysia and the Lions Club were helping the needy in this regard.
