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The Department of Health (DH) today (November 8) reminded people to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
The reminder was issued in support of the World Diabetes Mellitus Day on November 14.
The Senior Medical Officer of the department's Central Health Education Unit, Dr Rita Ho, said that DM ranked eighth among the killer diseases in Hong Kong and was a worsening health problem.
¡§Findings of DH's Population Health Survey in 2003-2004 estimated that about 214,000 (3.87%) Hong Kong people aged 15 and above were DM patients.
¡§Another 97,800 (1.7%) Hong Kong people aged 15 and above were diagnosed by doctors or health care professionals as having blood glucose levels that were too high,¡¨ she said.
¡§Some people are at a higher health risk of developing DM,¡¨ Dr Ho said.
¡§People who have a family history of type II diabetes, an elevated blood glucose level or blood pressure, a history of gestational diabetes, or who are obese or centrally obese, sedentary in terms of lifestyle, and the middle-aged and beyond are more prone to the disease.¡¨
Dr Ho said that people occupied by work were more likely to adopt a sedentary lifestyle. Those who frequently ate out and consumed fast food may develop nutritional imbalance.
¡§We should avoid overeating, consuming too much meat but too few vegetables, or having a high intake of fat in processed food.
¡§Obese people are more prone to type II diabetes, which is a main cause of heart diseases, kidney diseases, stroke and blindness,¡¨ she said.
Dr Ho said that balanced diets were important for the control, prevention and retardation of complications in diabetic patients, regardless of whether the patients needed medication or not.
¡§Extensive research shows that fruit and vegetables are more than just providing the body with various nutrients. Adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables in a balanced diet helps prevent chronic diseases.
¡§The World Health Organisation recommends an adult should eat at least 400g of fruit and vegetables a day to guard against chronic diseases such as heart diseases, certain cancers, diabetes and obesity,¡¨ she said.
¡§People should to eat at least two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables every day."
One serving of fruit is the equivalent of about two small-sized fruits (e.g. plum) or one medium-sized fruit (such as apple), while one serving of vegetables is equal to about one bowl of raw leafy vegetables (e.g. lettuce) or half a bowl of cooked vegetables, sprouts, gourds or mushrooms (e.g. eggplant). Choices of fresh fruit or vegetables are preferred whenever possible.
To prevent DM, Dr Ho reminded people to stay alert against the disease and take prompt action to modify one¡¦s lifestyle. They should maintain a suitable body weight, choose food wisely, exercise regularly and refrain from smoking. This will help reduce the chance of developing type II diabetes.
For more information, people may visit the website of the DH¡¦s Central Health Education Unit at http://www.cheu.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:40
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