Health Zone: ‘Fast food, smoking, no exercise…’ Why majority of Nigerians have diabetes (Must Read)

Alcoholic drinks, smoking, consumption of fast food among other activities contribute to the increased rate of type 2 diabetes in the country, says Feyi Adegoke, president of Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria.

Adegoke was quoted to have said this during the 38th scientific conference and annual general meeting of the society in Calabar, Cross River.

Residents in the urban areas of the country, she said, are at higher risk of diabetes than those in the rural areas.

“The metropolitan cities have the highest rate of diabetes and that is because people are tending more towards Western lifestyle of consuming more alcoholic drinks, smoking, consumption of fast foods and others. These are some of the things that drive the epidemic we are seeing”, said Adegoke.

She noted that no fewer than five million Nigerians are currently suffering from type 2 diabetes.

The doctor said one in every 10 adults in Nigeria has ‘type 2’ diabetes and more people are at the risk of suffering from it in years to come.

“Currently in Nigeria, no fewer than five million people are suffering from diabetes type 2. This number will increase to about 10 million in the next 10 years.”

15 million people, she said, are suffering from diabetes in Africa and the number would spike to 30 million in 2025.

She also advised that diabetes could be prevented through reduction of sugar intakes like canned drinks, putting a stop to tobacco smoking and incorporating healthy meals into their diets.