According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey III conducted in 2006, 43.3% of Malaysians are either overweight or obese. In the same survey, it was found that the prevalence of abdominal obesity (AO) in Malaysian adults is higher than in most other Asian countries, except for South Asia. AO is strongly linked to the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent co-morbid conditions, occurring in 61% of obese patients, and 90% of type 2 diabetes is attributable to excess weight.

Obesity also increases the risk of developing pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal. weight loss plays an important role in preventing and delaying the onset of diabetes.

Recent data revealed that the prevalence of diabetes has increased from 8.3% in 1996 to 14.9% in 2006. One in six Malaysian adults above 30 years old has diabetes – an estimated 1.4 million in number. Diabetes prevalence has almost doubled in the last decade, in parallel with the doubling of overweight/obesity in the population.

Do you know that a three to five kg weight loss reduces diabetes incidence by 58%? Studies have shown that overweight pre-diabetics will develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Therefore it is advisable to lose weight moderately.

Click here to learn how to lose 1-3kgs per month while still enjoy your favourite food, how to maintain and keep it off forever…

Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. However, it’s also true that most people with diabetes don’t go on to have end-stage kidney disease. There are many things you can do to control your diabetes and minimize your risk of kidney failure including stopping smoking and keeping blood pressure under control.

Intensive management (called tight control) means frequent testing of blood sugar, calculating insulin intake on the basis of diet and exercise, following a diet and exercise plan, and talking often with a health care team whose members are skilled at treating diabetes.

Ways to prevent diabetes kidney problems
You can prevent diabetes kidney problems through the following means:

* Keep your blood glucose levels under control. Talk to your doctor about your test and what your goal should be.
* Keep your blood pressure under control (130/85 mmHg or lower).
* Have your kidneys checked at least once a year by having your urine tested for small amounts of protein.
* Have any other kidney tests that your doctor recommends.
* See your doctor right away if you think you have a bladder or kidney infection.

It is very important that diabetic patients keep tight control of their blood pressure. Blood pressure has a dramatic effect on the rate at which kidney disease progresses. Even a mild rise in blood pressure can quickly make kidney disease worsen. Four ways to lower your blood pressure are:

* losing weight,
* eating less salt,
* avoiding alcohol and tobacco,
* and getting regular exercise.

Click here to learn how to lose 1-3kgs per month while still enjoy your favourite food, how to maintain and keep it off forever…