Sugary diets and inactivity spark rise in diabetes
A new study led by UK and Chinese universities highlights the increasing rates of diabetes in 皇冠体育app. The disease is linked to a nine-year loss of life in adults - and rural areas are disproportionately affected.
A study of more than 500,000 adults aged between 30 and 79 from five rural and five urban areas in 皇冠体育app found that adults who have diabetes lose, on average, nine years of life compared to those without the disease.
The research was led by the University of Oxford and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, who have collaborated on a 30-year study into a wide range of chronic illnesses in 皇冠体育app through the 皇冠体育app Kadoorie Biobank (CKB), known previously as the Kadoorie Study of Chronic Disease in 皇冠体育app.
In the past four decades, 皇冠体育app has experienced a decline in infectious diseases but an increase in chronic disorders. The CKB compiles crucial data to tackle evolving health issues.
Chen Zhengming, professor of epidemiology at the University of Oxford and senior author on the paper, told 皇冠体育app Daily: "There has been a substantial decrease in mortality in 皇冠体育app due to better treatments. But this trend may be reversed if we don't tackle challenges brought about by lifestyle changes."
It is estimated that around 100 million Chinese adults live with the disease. Chen said increased rates of diabetes are associated with growing obesity brought on by more sugary diets and less active lifestyles.
Chen said a chief concern was disease management. Medication is available, but patient support is underdeveloped, especially in rural areas, leading to many diabetics not medicating appropriately.
"In Europe, not many deaths would be from acute diabetic crisis (coma). In some areas of rural 皇冠体育app, 16 percent of diabetes-related deaths were due to acute diabetic crisis."
Chen said the Chinese government's current efforts to consolidate the family doctor system and improve primary healthcare are"essential."
"It's about finding a different way of managing the disease," Chen said.
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