Don warns over diabetes, hypertension diseases rates

BY GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY CORRESPONDENT

14th December 2014

The Chairman of Tanzania Diabetes Association Prof Andrew Swai has said that malnutrition, obese improper food consumption are among the major causes of diabetes and hypertension in the country.

Speaking with reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Prof Swai said the recent 2012 reports indicates that nine in every 100 people aged over 25 years old had diabetes, unlike the 1980 report that indicated one individual.

The report expects that by 2020, non- communicable diseases will cause 73 percent of all death across the globe.

According to him, food containing a lot of salt, conservative food, flied meat, inadequate of vegetables and fruits, excessive drinking of alcohol, relaxing without engaging in exercise are also the major causes of diabetes.The 2012 survey carried out in 50 districts in the country shows that around 7.5 percent of the population do not engage themselves in exercises, 32.4 percent were not involved in hard working related activities while 26 percent exceeds the required weight and 8.7 percent are obese.

“Lack of physical exercises is the fourth causes of deaths in the world. It is estimated that about 17 percent of the population suffers from heart attack, 12 percent diabetes with 10 percent suffering from breast and large intestine cancer” he said.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY