WHO warns of diabetes epidemic

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says rates of diabetes are set to increase as childhood obesity soars worldwide.

WHO says an estimated 10 per cent of school-aged children are overweight, with the situation worsening.More than 22 million children under five years old are obese or overweight and it is not only affluent countries that are affected. Over 17 million of them are in the developing world. Each one of these children is at a much higher risk of developing type two diabetes. This used to be known as adult onset diabetes, as it would be diagnosed later in life. But because of poor diet and little physical activity the disease is now being seen more often in teenagers. There are also other risks associated with being overweight – heart disease, stroke, cancer and there is some data to suggest that conditions like Alzheimer’s might also be linked. (Source: BBC health, Nov 2004)