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The Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, appealed to members of the public to help prevent and control diabetes by eating healthy in support of the World Diabetes Day (WDD) theme for 2014-2016, which is "Healthy Living and Diabetes", at a healthy luncheon event co-organised by the Department of Health (DH), Diabetes Hongkong and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of the Chinese University of Hong Kong today (November 13).
"Diabetes is one of the major non-communicable diseases of concern worldwide and has been identified by the World Health Organization as a non-communicable disease which requires global emergency action. In Hong Kong, it is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality. There were 360 registered deaths with diabetes as underlying cause of death in 2013. Diabetes was the 10th leading cause of death locally," Dr Chan said.
"I know that some people may be unhappy after being diagnosed with diabetes. The reason is they believe that only a limited variety of food will be available for them afterwards. The objective of the healthy luncheon event today is to provide some suggestions and ideas for homemade healthy and delicious food," Dr Chan said.
Dr Chan added that many risk factors for diabetes, including obesity and lack of physical activity, are lifestyle-related. Modifying our lifestyles appropriately by focusing on these factors may help to prevent diabetes, or to reduce the chance of developing complications for diabetic patients.
Also attending the event today, Professor Ronald Ma from the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, reminded members of the public that diabetes not only affects elderly persons but also young people. Thus the young generation should stay vigilant as well.
"The problem of diabetes developing at a younger age is an important issue in Asia. Recent research by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, with over 15 000 patients with type 2 diabetes being assessed, found that about half of them were diagnosed with diabetes before their 50s. The situation made us worried as about 20 per cent of the participants were diagnosed with diabetes even before their 40s," Professor Ronald Ma said.
With the objective of encouraging dietary compliance by diabetic patients through promulgating the message that diabetes-friendly meals can be delicious, the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Institute for Public Administration, Mr Dick Lee, and famous actress Ms Louisa So, performed a cooking demonstration of two diabetes-friendly dishes at today's event.
In addition, a total of 40 diabetes-friendly dishes, with recipes contributed by the DH, Diabetes Hongkong and the Hospital Authority, were displayed with nutrition details to further promote healthy eating to both diabetic patients and the general public. These recipes will be made available in phases at the website of the DH's Primary Care Office (pco.gov.hk/tc_chi/resource/diabetes-friendly_recipes.html).
The International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization designated November 14 every year as the WDD in 1991 to address growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes poses. The theme of the WDD for the period 2014 to 2016 is "Healthy Living and Diabetes". This particular day engages people all over the world in diabetes advocacy and awareness.
The public may visit the website of the DH's Primary Care Office for more information on primary care and diabetes care (www.pco.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, November 13, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:56
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