Text from PAHO Press Release, with Video and Comprehensive Information Resources: English | español

Diabetes: PAHO urges fight against obesity and malnutrition in the Americas

The prevalence of diabetes in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is growing at an alarming rate in epidemic proportions. The child and adolescent population is not safe from this and requires preferential attention in terms of strategies for support, care, and prevention.

Washington, DC, 12 November 2008 (PAHO)-In the majority of the countries of the Americas, changes are taking place in dietary habits, with spiraling increase in the consumption of food with a dense caloric content and rich in saturated fats, sugars, and salts. This model, said Dr. Alberto Barceló, Regional Advisor on Chronic Diseases of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)—together with a growing culture of a sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity–is contributing seriously to the increase that we are observing in the right rates of overweight and obesity in the Region.

"The obesity epidemic, which is the cause of the increase in diabetes, is a major factor in the general move towards unhealthy eating habits and decreased physical activity This is especially serious in the child and adolescent population," affirmed Dr. Barceló in the celebration of World Diabetes Day on 14 November, the central theme for this year being—with the leadership of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) with unconditional support from the entire United Nations system—an emphasis on the problem of diabetes in young people.

The prevalence of obesity is on the increase among all age groups in the Americas, as well as in other regions of the world. Thus, studies on the problem in such countries as Chile or Mexico indicate that between some 7 and 12% of children under five and one fifth of all adolescents there are already obese. Among adults, it is estimated that the overweight and obesity rates are currently close to 60%.

Data and estimates from WHO reveal that the number of persons suffering from diabetes in Latin America could reach 32.9 million by 2030. Right now, according to the available data, the highest prevalence rates for diabetes are in Belize (12.4%) and Mexico (10.7%). According to various studies and reports, some of the huge Latin American capitals like Managua, Guatemala City, and Bogotá are reporting prevalence rates of between 8 and 10%.

With World Diabetes Day, PAHO unites with the IDF, and all organization and institutions around the world are urging decisive action to prevent and control diabetes, thus showing their support for all who suffer from this disease—especially young people, children, and adolescents. "To do nothing is not an option," emphasizes the IDF.

Diabetes is a chronic lifelong condition that requires strict monitoring and control. Without adequate control, a person's blood sugar levels can increase, which is directly associated in the long run with wounds and organ and tissue failure. The IDF also reminds us that the following serious complications and risk can arise (among others):

• Cardiovascular disease, which affects the heart and blood vessels and can cause lethal complications, such as coronary heart disease (with can bring about a heart attack) and strokes.
• Kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy), which can succeed in triggering a terminal kidney failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Vascular and neuropathic disease (diabetic neuropathy), which can end up generating the ulceration and amputation of the lower limbs.
• Visual disease (diabetic retinopathy), which is characterized by injuries of the retina of the eye, which in turn can generate partial or total loss of vision.
• Diabetes if different among children.

The IDF explains the diabetes has a unique impact on children and their families since a child's daily life is changed by the need to monitor his or her blood sugar levels, by having to take medication, and by having to balance the effects of activity and eating.

Diabetes, affirms the IDF, can interfere with the normal developmental needs of children and adolescents, which includes a successful education and transition to adulthood.

In order to face this situation and to assure that they enjoy the highest level of physical and emotional health possible, children with diabetes should receive care from a multidisciplinary team very familiarized with its pediatric aspects. It is also necessary to help their caretakers and the staff in their schools.

"In this way, children with types 1 or 2 diabetes can reach adulthood with minimal negative impact," affirms the IDF. "Physiological and social problems can prevent children from receiving the best available diabetes care available and from meeting their treatment objectives. Aside from the demanding physical and emotion challenges that go along with growth, diabetes imposes considerable—and sometimes overwhelming—demands on children and their families. The disease is unavoidable. It affects all aspects of a child's life and imposes a burden that must be borne by the child and his or her family, school, and local community. Diabetes control puts psychological pressure on children with diabetes and their family members, especially when its control and treatment are intensive."

From PAHO, Dr. Barceló emphasized that hemispheric organization considers diabetes and other chronic diseases to be health priorities.

This is why, he said, the 48^thPAHO Directing Council in 2008, in its annual meeting of ministers of health from its Member States, approved resolution calling for the countries of the Americas to strengthen their diabetes prevention and control activities.

"This resolution is based on the evidence that both type 2 diabetes and some of its complications can be prevented by public health actions aimed at individuals or communities," affirmed Dr. Barceló. "Because of this, PAHO is providing technical collaboration to many countries to reinforce prevention and improve diabetes care. One of these programs is the VIDA project carried out in Veracruz, Mexico. This program has shown favorable results and has become an inspiration for many of those affected by the disease as well as for professionals, in the continuing struggle to fight this disease."

(For more on the VIDA project, watch the video (in Spanish) offered as part of the press release.)