More medical checks needed to curb diabetes epidemic in China: Expert

NEW DELHI - China is in the grips of a diabetes epidemic that will only continue to grow unless a comprehensive diagnosis mechanism is put in place, according to a leading expert.

Ji Linong, who heads the Chinese Diabetes Society, said a diabetic epidemic was prevalent among adults, citing a recently-published study which sampled 46,000 people above 20 from 14 provinces and municipalities.

“Along with economic growth and a new lifestyle featuring a rich diet and less exercise, the number of diabetics will continue to rise,” China Daily quoted him as saying.

Lack of awareness coupled with poor medical facilities for early detection and diagnosis has been cited as the main reason for the rising toll of the disease.

“The government should spend more to enhance intervention capacity, particularly for prevention and early detection,” said Ji, also director of the endocrinology and metabolism department of Peking University People’s Hospital.

People who are aged above 40, kids who turn to fast food more often than not and people who live in urban areas are more prone to the disease.

Frequent consumption of high-fat food like hamburgers, fried chicken and colas leads to child obesity and other health risks including diabetes, said Zhu Baoduo, director of the association. (ANI)