NCD Watch

Diabetes + Obesity = Diabesity

8 November 2022 (Tue)

Diabetes mellitus (called ‘diabetes’ thereafter) is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Obesity is also a chronic disease, in which abnormal or excess body fat impairs health. The co-existence of diabetes and obesity is called Diabesity. Diabesity multiplies the risk of complications (including heart disease, stroke and kidney disease) and increase the individuals’ mortality risk 7-fold.

Driven by ageing populations, greater consumption of energy-dense foods and a sedentary lifestyle with insufficient physical activity, the prevalence of diabetes and obesity worldwide have markedly increased over the past few decades. Consequently, diabesity becomes an emerging epidemic.

In Hong Kong, the Population Health Survey 2014/15 of the Department of Health observed that 8.4% of persons aged 15–84 had diabetes, 29.9% were classified as obese (with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25.0), and 36.5% had central obesity (with waist circumference greater than or equal to 90 cm for male and greater than or equal to 80 cm for female). Among persons with obesity defined by BMI, the prevalence of diabetes was 15.8%. Among persons with central obesity, the prevalence of diabetes was 14.0%.

There are strong evidences showing that leading a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity and could guard against diabesity. Of note, type 2 diabetes is often asymptomatic in early stages and patients can remain undetected for many years until complications develop. To reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and diabesity, members of the public are encouraged to maintain an optimal body weight and waist circumference, eat a balanced diet, be physically active, avoid smoking and refrain from alcohol use.

For prevention of diabetes, obesity and diabesity, the Department of Health will continue organising publicity campaigns and working in close partnership with various stakeholders to enhance public awareness about the importance of healthy living and in-crease people’s health literacy. Let’s work together to halt the rise in diabetes, obesity and diabesity!

Source: NCD Watch November 2022