1 In 3 Youth Overweight
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - A greater number of children in Brunei are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes that was non-existent two decades ago, which the Minister of Health has called "a worrying trend".

He called diabetes a stealth ailment as it takes hold secretly and it is the leading cause of blindness, renal failure, kidney diseases and foot amputations in the world. It is also a major factor in the development of cardiovascular and heart diseases and a major cause behind nerve diseases.

"Records show diabetes is on the increase among adults and adolescents in Brunei Darussalam. It has become the second most commonest cause of inpatient admissions in the last three years and has remained the third most commonest cause of death since 2001.

"Other grim statistics show that nearly 50 per cent of patients who undergo dialysis are diabetic. This figure has steadily risen over the past few years. Regrettably, the cost of dialysis is expensive.

"Since 2003, most of our cardiac procedures are done locally at Gleneagles JPMC. Figures show 1,674 procedures were performed and out of that 750 were diabetics; 56 per cent underwent coronary bypass and 40 per cent angioplasty procedures.

"In RIPAS Hospital itself, 44 limb amputations were performed for diabetic patients from November 2006 to October," the minister said.

Diabetes in childhood increases the risk of life threatening complications at an early age.

"We are already seeing adults in their early 20s in Brunei Darussalam with complications from diabetes," said the minister adding, being overweight and physically inactive are two of the major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.

With early diagnosis, aggressive treatment, supportive education and lifestyle changes, diabetes as well as its costly complications can be delayed and even prevented.

However, it is not always easy to convince someone with diabetes that years from now he/she may lose a leg, become blind or suffer kidney failure. This and much more is the heart-breaking story of diabetes mellitus, Pehin Suyoi said.

"More diabetes educators, dieticians and podiatrists should be readily available in communities and health care settings to ensure that meaningful education is possible.

"Education is the key. Lifestyle changes are fundamental. Exercise is just as important as the food we eat. Communities must focus on healthy lifestyle programmes. Losing just five to 10 per cent of weight can make a difference to an individual's risk of developing diabetes.

"Parents, teachers and other community leaders must join in the awareness campaign. More public information should be provided about the disease; how to identify and manage it. The public needs to keep themselves informed about diabetes and its dangers and find out whether they are sufferers.

"Managing diabetes is an important priority for the Ministry of Health. In the face of this rising trend in diabetes, it is imperative that our healthcare providers are well prepared and equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to cope with this epidemic," said the minister. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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