November 14 is observed
as World Diabetes Day every year to remind us all of the need to prevent and
control diabetes by leading healthy lifestyles. This can be achieved by
eating healthy food, engaging in moderate but regular physical activity,
watching our body weight and avoiding the use of tobacco and alcohol.
‘Diabetes Education and
Prevention’ is the theme for World Diabetes Day for the period 2009-2013. The
slogan for 2011 is ‘Act on Diabetes. Now’. Globally, an estimated 346 million
people have diabetes. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, nearly 71 million
people are estimated to be living with diabetes and an equal number had
impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and
stroke and causes immense disability and premature mortality, and poses a
significant economic burden.
