2008 Woodie Awards
Diabetes stunts economic growth in developing states
Kellyn Moran
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: OpEd Page
Malnutrition, AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis-all of these issues are some of the most widely publicized health problems facing developing countries. Curiously missing from this list is diabetes.
The disease affects 230 million people, 70 percent of which are in the developing world. Almost six times more people are living with diabetes than HIV/AIDS. Yet very little attention and aid has been directed to curb the astounding increase in numbers of people developing diabetes worldwide.
All too often when people think of diabetes, they conjure an image of an obese American sitting on a recliner, eating cheesy popcorn, watching reality TV-at least that's what I used to imagine.
But people with diabetes don't necessarily look as if they are toting around at least 100 extra pounds. And they are not necessarily lower- to middle-class Americans.
In fact, the reason many people in developing countries are developing diabetes is because they have begun to adopt American ways. Cultures that used to value leisure time over income are now reverting to growth models that require longer work hours and faster-paced schedules. There is less time for exercise and less time to grow or make food at home. Sedentary lifestyles become the norm and fast food and high-calorie, high-sugar beverages replace traditional diets.
This is especially dangerous in India and other Asian countries, where one study showed that genetic differences could make some populations more prone to developing the disease compared to others. The study found that an individual of Indian descent is at a higher risk of developing diabetes at a lower body mass index calculation as compared to his or her Caucasian counterpart.
The danger in underestimating the effect diabetes has on the developing world is two-fold. First, the population's physical illness increases the costs healthcare programs have to spend on diabetes, which takes away valuable resources that need to be directed to fighting the many other communicable and non-communicable diseases in the developing world.
The disease affects 230 million people, 70 percent of which are in the developing world. Almost six times more people are living with diabetes than HIV/AIDS. Yet very little attention and aid has been directed to curb the astounding increase in numbers of people developing diabetes worldwide.
All too often when people think of diabetes, they conjure an image of an obese American sitting on a recliner, eating cheesy popcorn, watching reality TV-at least that's what I used to imagine.
But people with diabetes don't necessarily look as if they are toting around at least 100 extra pounds. And they are not necessarily lower- to middle-class Americans.
In fact, the reason many people in developing countries are developing diabetes is because they have begun to adopt American ways. Cultures that used to value leisure time over income are now reverting to growth models that require longer work hours and faster-paced schedules. There is less time for exercise and less time to grow or make food at home. Sedentary lifestyles become the norm and fast food and high-calorie, high-sugar beverages replace traditional diets.
This is especially dangerous in India and other Asian countries, where one study showed that genetic differences could make some populations more prone to developing the disease compared to others. The study found that an individual of Indian descent is at a higher risk of developing diabetes at a lower body mass index calculation as compared to his or her Caucasian counterpart.
The danger in underestimating the effect diabetes has on the developing world is two-fold. First, the population's physical illness increases the costs healthcare programs have to spend on diabetes, which takes away valuable resources that need to be directed to fighting the many other communicable and non-communicable diseases in the developing world.
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