Developing World Faces Mounting Diabetes Risk, WHO Says
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GENEVA (Reuters) - An explosion in diabetes cases over coming decades could compound the problems of health care in the developing world, already battling killer diseases such as AIDS (news - web sites), the World Health Organization (news - web sites) (WHO) said Friday.


Population growth and changing diets could cause the number of sufferers in the developing world to more than double in 30 years to around 285 million from 115 million at present, the United Nations (news - web sites) agency said.


"Even as these countries are struggling to address the problems of HIV (news - web sites)/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, they must also prepare to deal with the onslaught of diseases that come with changes in lifestyle and aging," said Dr Catherine Le Gales-Camus, WHO assistant director-general.


Diabetes, which is caused by too much glucose in the blood, can lead to kidney failure, blindness and problems of circulation that can result in the amputation of limbs.


In a statement marking World Diabetes Day, the WHO said it was stepping up efforts to help developing countries tackle the increased risk of diabetes through information programs to raise awareness of the importance of diet and exercise.


"Much of the projected increase is preventable through attention to diet and physical activity in the population," Le Gales-Camus added.


The number of diabetes cases around the world has jumped to some 170 million from little over 30 million 20 years ago, largely due to unhealthy diets, obesity and lack of exercise. The WHO estimates that it kills around 800,000 people a year.


While most diabetics (news - web sites) in developed countries will be 65 or over in 2030, in developing countries the majority will be in the 45-65 age range when they should still be able to work, the WHO added.

Dr. Atkins predicted this in his book the Age Defying Diet, regarding the rule of 20 years. It's quite fascinating.