RIYADH, 16 November 2006 — Wearing a track outfit and fresh from a one-kilometer walk to help promote healthy living, Health Minister Hamad Al-Manie said the number of diabetics in the Kingdom has increased by 24 percent in the past several years.
“That number is expected to increase to 5 million,” the minister told reporters Tuesday night.
Al-Manie was participating in a walk-a-thon aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and reduce the spread of diabetes in the Kingdom. The event, marking the World Diabetes Day, is part of the ministry’s larger campaign titled, “Let’s Work Together Against Diabetes”.
Citizens and residents with diabetes came to the walking area for free medical checkups and to listen to the advice of specialists who attended the event.
“The ministry seeks to implement several sports and practical programs to increase public awareness regarding diabetes,” said Al-Manie.
“The disease is increasing especially among children for many reasons, such as the genetic factor as well as the unhealthy diet and lifestyle that many children have.”
Al-Manie said the Kingdom has recently opened 20 new diabetes treatment centers throughout the country.
According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 200 million diabetics in the world today. That number is expected to increase to 350 million by the year 2025. Seventy percent of diabetics are from developing countries.
One of the primary causes for the growth of diabetes in the developing world is the dietary switch of populations from unprocessed foods to a high consumption rate of processed sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup.
