Eating habits, lifestyle to blame for rising diabetes cases
By Oliver Musembi, November 16, 2023Eating habits and lifestyle changes are to blame for the increasing cases of diabetes, health experts have warned.
Dr Caroline Mithi, a physician and diabetes specialist at Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH), said lack of exercise, eating unbalanced diets and excessive use of tobacco are the major contributors to the disease.
These lifestyles, she noted, have led many Kenyans to contract the ailment that manifests in type 1 for children and type 2 for adults and elderly persons.
Speaking during a free screening camp at the facility on Tuesday, Mithi expressed concern that Diabetes Mellitus that affects children is becoming prevalent.
“This is majorly caused by either the mother contracting the disease while expectant or other poor lifestyles. Children are contracting this disease in hoards and are on insulin to survive,” she pointed out.
The medic challenged parents to look for diabetes symptoms in their children including frequent urination and especially at night, dehydration and excessive thirst.
“They should take their children for screening as soon as they spot these symptoms for early diagnosis and treatment. It is also imperative for parents to be strict on their children’s diet to keep the disease in check,” Mithi stated.