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The problem of diabetes in the UAE

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a serious epidemic of diabetes is now observed, which caused the concern of the healthcare authorities. According to the decision of the authorities, 100 thousand inhabitants of the country for diabetes will be checked. This decision was made after a screening conducted by the pharmaceutical company Merck, during which a pre -diatetic syndrome was detected in 8.9% of 13 thousand people. Prediabet is a condition that precedes the development of type 2 diabetes. The body is already beginning to experience problems with blood sugar, but the disease has not yet reached the full stage. Diabetes has become a serious problem for the adult population, aged 20 to 79 years, on the entire Arabian Peninsula. Infected with diabetes of the 2nd type in this region is the following: 24.9% in Kuwait, 19.5% in Qatar, 18.7% in Saudi Arabia and 16.4% in the UAE. The data of the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) indicate a constant increase in the number of people with diabetes in the UAE, which reflects a world tendency. According to the forecasts of scientists from the University of Washington, the number of people with diabetes in the world will increase from 529 million in 2021 to 1.31 billion by 2050.

What is behind this alarming situation? One of the main causes of type 2 diabetes is obesity. The sharp economic development and the sudden surge of foreign workers in the UAE contributed to a change in food habits and an increase in consumption of processed and high -calorie products. Also, low physical activity and environmental change, which reduces the need for movement (for example, the distribution of delivery services and increase the number of employees remotely) contribute to the set of excess weight.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) for 2018, almost half of women and 40% of men in the emirates do not perform a sufficient number of physical exercises necessary to maintain health. Emirates also stand at the US level and Great Britain in terms of physical activity, and all these countries are experiencing an epidemic of obesity. Smoking also increases the risk of diabetes: according to data for 2020, 25% of men in the UAE continue to smoke.

So, the reasons for the growth of an epidemic of diabetes in the UAE include obesity, a change in food habits, a lack of physical activity and a high level of smoking. This alarming situation requires immediate measures to prevent the further spread of diabetes and improve the health of the country's population.

26.01.2024