The Report on “Diabetes. Facts and Figures for 2020” points to the prevalence of this disease reaching 30% in people over the age of 60 years.

In addition to this number being linked to a greater longevity in most countries, lifestyle habits characteristic of a consumer population are decisive in these alarming results, with emphasis on the abundance of high-calorie food products available, which are all extremely high in sugar and fat. In addition, the lifestyle in modern cities favours a sedentary lifestyle. However, the multiple initiatives to encourage the practice of physical exercise carried out by various public and private sectors are to be commended.

Further information provided in this report shows that 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, being higher in males. As a rule, women are more careful with their image than men and are more wary of weight gain. In both cases, however, it is essential to be aware that by fighting excess weight and obesity, we are fighting diabetes, as well as other associated diseases; 20% of people with a Body Mass Index above 30 have diabetes, as do 13% of those with a BMI of 25 or over, which reflects a very direct relationship between diabetes and being overweight.

Equally very significant is the role of type 2 diabetes in undiagnosed patients. It must be mentioned that pre-diabetics can present cardiovascular repercussions as a result of this disease. These are people who are more prone to future cardiovascular alterations and some will surely turn out to be diabetic. Identifying pre-diabetics makes it possible to reduce to less than half, the number of those who will eventually become diabetic.

It is also important to highlight the significant increase in hospitalisation for diseases associated with diabetes, related to increased age, greater risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetic foot and pneumonia.

In view of the scenario presented by diabetes globally, it is never too much to reinforce the role of prevention, which, in order to be effective, will have to be structured and continued. Programmes with the objective of altering lifestyles, created in terms of policies and investment, extended over time and with regular evaluation are necessary.

If nothing is done in this regard, the prevalence of diabetes will continue to increase, as will hospitalisation, with economic and above all human consequences, since we know that diabetics have a reduced life expectancy of nine years.

A healthy diet and regular physical exercise are such important factors for the control of diabetes that they go beyond drug therapy, and these options are within everyone's reach. Obviously, drugs contribute to reducing the risk of complications, but for the treatment to be effectively successful, it is essential to eat well and exercise, especially in type 2 diabetes.


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