Tanzania warned over rise in diabetes cases

Tanzania’s Association of Diabetes has warned that poor lifestyles like consumption of sugars, low physical activity jobs and excessive alcohol are increasing cases of non communicable diseases in most developing countries and Tanzania is not exempted.

Citing non communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, hypertension and stroke Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the association, Professor Andrew Swai, said in the 1980s, very few people suffered from non communicable diseases.

“For instance, only one in every 100 people aged 25 was diabetic according to 1980s statistic but 2012 research shows that at least nine in every 100 people of the same age are now diabetic,” he said in a press release availed yesterday.

Similarly, the professor warned that cases of blood pressure in persons aged 25 and above has increased from 5 to 27 in every 100 people during the same period.

Swai, said the research was conducted in 2012 and involved more the then 50 district across Tanzania targeting people aged 25 years and above.

He said the increase is a result of poor lifestyles, un-recommended diets, consumption of too much sugary substances like juice, cakes, ice cream, excessive use of alcohol and cigarettes and use of illicit drugs along with a general lack of exercise.

He also cited intake of fatty foods, too much salt and consumption of processed grains like maize and rice.

Other conditions leading to the increase of communicable diseases in the country include lack of physical exercises and sitting in offices, classes or watching television for long hours, too much reliance of motor vehicles and motorbikes to an extent that some people hardly walk even a kilometer.

According to the professor, some of the communicable diseases can be reduced if people at least perform physical exercises.

It is estimated that by 2020, 73 per cent of deaths worldwide will be a result of non communicable diseases and that the scope of non communicable diseases will be at least 60 per cent worldwide.