Expert: Malaysia facing an explosion of diabetes and related diseases

30 June 2009

The number of Malaysians suffering from diabetes has increased by 250 percent over the past 20 years and is reaching a catastrophic level, according to eminent endocrinologist and Monash academic Professor Dato' Dr Khalid Kadir.

Speaking at the inaugural Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah Public Lecture on Global Health, Professor Khalid said the prevalence of diabetes in the population was only one to two percent in the 1960s, increasing to about four per cent in the 1980s.

“In 1996, the prevalence was found to have increased to 8.3 percent and in 2006 it was 14.9 percent. This means an increase of about 250 percent over 20 years.”

Professor Khalid said the real number could be even higher, as many Malaysians were undiagnosed as suffering from diabetes.

"If we were to accept for Malaysia a conservative diabetes prevalence of 20 per cent in adults aged over 30 and that 60 percent of the population belong to the age group, then in 2010, when the population reaches 30 million, there will be 3.6 million diabetics in Malaysia.

“This would mean that one in five adults is diabetic. Can our country cope with that?”

Professor Khalid says another concern was that more people aged below 45 are getting diabetes.

Professor Khalid said obesity was a major factor behind the increase of these diseases, brought upon by overeating and consumption of foods rich in oil.

Professor Khalid urged the public to keep an eye on their Body Mass Index and waist circumference, which is an indicator of fat deposits in the internal organs. He said research had shown lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk of developing diabetes in high risk patients.

Options include regular physical activity, dietary changes to promote weight loss, eating more fibre, fruits, and vegetables, eating less processed food and reducing food consumption.

Professor Khalid said the World Health Organisation has forecast a 255 per cent increase in the prevalence of diabetes in Southeast Asia from 47 million people in 2000 to 120 million people by 2030.

“There is now scientific evidence that diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate, almost akin to an explosion of metabolic catastrophe, especially in Asia, including Malaysia,” he said.

"By 2030, seven of the 10 countries with the highest number of diabetics will be in Asia.”