Health | More young people diagnosed with diabetes

Locals who are suffering from diabetes are younger than before, which is related to eating habits

The Kiang Wu Hospital recently organized a seminar to discuss cases of people diagnosed with diabetes. According to the hospital, one out of every ten deaths in Macau in recent years has been caused by this disease. In addition, the hospital revealed that from 2011 to 2013, more than 35,000 registered visits sought medical assistance at its diabetes prevention center.
The medical services believe that there is a growing trend in cases of diabetes.  Deputy director of Kiang Wu Hospital Cheung Chun Wing, informed that not only the number of people seeking medical help for diabetes is increasing, but also that the age group of people who are suffering from this condition are younger than before.
As diabetes is typically associated with eating habits, Cheung emphasized that diet habits are normally the indicators for the disease.
Cheong Chi Hong, administration director of the Centro Médico Son Vo of Macao New Chinese Youth Association, corroborates the information given by the Kiang Wu Hospital. “As far as I have noticed, patients with diabetes are indeed younger than before,” Cheong revealed. He believes that the change in age is partially a consequence of a better economy, which in turn allows people to have more options in terms of food. These greater options generally consist of unhealthy alternatives to fresher and healthier food, such as fried food and processed food, or even food with high-sugar and high-fat levels.
“Since the economy is better now, kids eat more and do less sport. They have accumulated bad habits,” explained Cheong. Cheong also told the Times that the youngest patient with diabetes he has dealt with so far was only ten years old.
“His weight exceeded mine, and he didn’t do any sports,” said Cheong. As to the reasons why children eat unhealthy, Cheong indicated that part of it might be related to their parents’ work shifts. “Some parents work night shifts. The domestic helpers cannot give orders to the kids [to not eat unhealthy food],” Cheong suggested. The doctor has voiced his advice to the public in order to prevent the spreading of diabetes: build habits that consist of physical exercise, which includes taking the stairs instead of elevators; eating less processed food; and seeking treatment when noticing symptoms of diabetes. Staff reporter