According to the International Diabetes Federation, around 6.9% of the adult population in the country suffers from diabetes. And with high sugar intake in daily routines, it puts a large number at risk of contracting the disease. People in South Asia already have a high risk of getting diagnosed with diabetes in life especially if someone in their family already had type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Zafar Iqbal, a world-renowned sports doctor, is raising awareness about Diabetes, and yesterday he tweeted about it:
South Asians are 2-4 x more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. Find out your risk by using KNOW YOUR RISK tool on Diabetes UK’s website – either search ‘Know your risk Derby’ on Google or visit Diabetes UK link below. https://t.co/CA3mCdIvFM
— DrZaf (@sportsdrzaf) September 30, 2019
He was backed by Ali Khan Tareen who said:
Dr. Zafar is trying to raise awareness about the high risk of Diabetes for young Pakistanis (between the ages of 29-45). It’s a big issue in the Pakistani community, please inform yourself of the risks and what you can do to prevent it. https://t.co/4ydr6sQfWG
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) September 30, 2019
The test is pretty much straightforward, the website will ask you a series of questions based on your gender, waist, age, height, and family background. In the end, it will give you a score showing what level of risk you stand at when it comes to diabetes.
The factors are divided into two categories, the ones you can control like your weight and height. And the factors you have no control over, such as your ethnicity or if someone in the family has it.
You can take the test here.
Practical efforts are required to enhance the understanding of cardiovascular diseases risk factors such as diet, physical activity, and tobacco-control policies to support prevention and control at the population level.