The public should avoid sedentary lifestyles, manage their weight and exercise regularly to reduce the risk of diabetes, the Chief Executive Officer of Ridge Medical Centre (RMC), Dr David Sunu, has said.
Dr Sunu issued the advice as part of the centre’s Diabetes Awareness Campaign during November, highlighting the influence that lifestyle choices can have on the development of the condition.
Although genetic factors can make some people more susceptible to diabetes, Dr Sunu said lifestyle also plays a significant role. Healthy habits may help people avoid the disease or postpone the age at which it develops.
In a statement marking World Diabetes Day, he said November was observed as Diabetes Awareness Month at Ridge Medical Center to increase public understanding of diabetes.
“Based on the available data, the adult type-2 diabetes prevalence in Ghana is reported to be as much as 3 to 6%; that is very significant and needs urgent attention,” Dr Sunu said.
He added: “Diabetes is one of the conditions that we describe as a lifestyle disease because while there is genetic predisposition towards developing diabetes, your lifestyle plays a major role and presents an opportunity to either avoid the condition altogether or delay the age at which you develop it.”
Dr Sunu also advised people to reduce their consumption of sugary foods and avoid eating late as part of efforts to prevent diabetes or manage blood sugar levels.
“My advice for the general public is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, control your weight, exercise regularly, minimise sugary foods and avoid late eating to help prevent diabetes or control your blood sugar,” he said.
World Diabetes Day is held annually on 14 November. The date marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin with Charles Best in 1922.
The awareness campaign is described as the world’s largest diabetes awareness initiative, reaching more than 1 billion people in over 160 countries.
