Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Vol. 5 Num 1068 Sun. June 03, 2007       Star Health Facts on Diabetes There is an emerging global epidemic of diabetes that can be traced back to rapid increases in overweight, obesity and physical inactivity. Total deaths from diabetes are projected to rise by more than 50 percent in the next 10 years. Most notably, they are projected to increase by over 80 percent in upper-middle income countries. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production and type 2 diabetes results from the body's ineffective use of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes, and accounts for around 90 percent of all diabetes worldwide. Reports of type 2 diabetes in children - previously rare - have increased worldwide. In some countries, it accounts for almost half of newly diagnosed cases in children and adolescents. A third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This type is characterised by hyperglycaemia (raised blood sugar level), which is first recognised during pregnancy. In 2005, 1.1 million people died from diabetes. The full impact is much larger, because although people may live for years with diabetes, their cause of death is often recorded as heart diseases or kidney failure. 80 percent of diabetes deaths are now occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Lack of awareness about diabetes, combined with insufficient access to health services, can lead to complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure. Diabetes can be prevented. Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days and a healthy diet can drastically reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.