Diabetes to be a major problem in today’s society and among the lead causes of death in Dominica, statistics from the World Health Organization have shown.
Additionally, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dr. Godfrey Xuereb said obesity in adults has reached ‘epidemic proportion’ on the island.
Speaking at the Dominica Diabetes Association (DOMDA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Public Service Union (PSU) building on Wednesday, he said World Health Organization statistics, published in April, show that 1 in 10 adults have diabetes in Dominica. He said over the last 30 years, the number of persons diagnosed with diabetes has increased.
“This in itself is a worrying statistic but even more worrying, is the trend,” he noted. “Over the last 30 years those diagnosed with diabetes in Dominica have risen from just over 5 percent, so 5 for every 100 in 1980 to almost 15 percent, so 15 for every 100 in 2014.”
He said the number of female diabetics has tripled in one generation and the data for men is equally grim.
“The data shows that in 1980, we has about just under 5 percent of men with diabetes and in 2016 we have 10 percent, so the number of men with diabetes has also doubled,” he noted.
Dr. Xuereb stated that one of the most important risk factors for diabetes is obesity, “and here the data is even more alarming for Dominica.”
“The same WHO report from earlier this year shows that over half of men and over 60 percent, so 6 of every 10 women are overweight and a third of all women are classified as obese,” he noted.
He stated further that over a quarter of all adults in Dominica are now classified as obese.
“Obesity in adults have reached epidemic proportions and is manifesting itself in the number of cases of diagnosed diabetics and persons with high blood pressures as well as problems associated with these two silent killers,” he explained. “The problem gets worst when we see what is happening to our younger generation, the generation of the future, the ones who should be carrying Dominica to the next decades.”
Dr. Xuereb indicated that the latest global school-based student health survey conducted in Dominica in 2009 revealed that a quarter of all students, age 13 to 15 were overweight, “and 1 in every 10 students in that age group was obese.”
“In one generation we have moved from under nutrition to obesity and overweight,” he noted.
He stated that a second major risk factor is the lack of physical activity.
“PAHO data from 2007 shows that one-third of all female adults in Dominica do not do enough physical activity,” Dr. Xuereb said. “This figure gets worst in 2011. WHO reported that 4 in every 10 adult women were physically inactive and in men, it’s not much better. In 2007, 14 of every 100 men were physically inactive and this went up to 18 out of every 100 men in the 2016 report, so now almost 2 out of every 10 men are physically inactive in Dominica.”
He also mentioned that 76 percent of adolescents 13 to 15 did not do at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
“Three quarters of our adolescence are inactive,” Dr. Xuereb remarked. “They are obese and inactive, two of the key factors that lead to diabetes.”
He said the food and energy data for Dominica from 1964 and 2000 revealed that the average daily intake of calories have moved from just under 1,900 calories per person in 1965 to almost 3000 calories per person in 2000.
“This is over 500 calories more that the WHO recommends for adults intake,” he said.
He noted that the fat contribution to the diet has moved from just under 20 percent in 1965 to 25 percent which is about 700 calories in 2000.
“Out of the 500 extra calories that we are eating, 360 are coming from fat…our diet have not only become high in calories, but that extra calorie is coming from fat,” he stated.
He said the major food imports and exports from Dominica, the percentage of energy that is imported in 1964 was 60 percent.
“In 1997 this became 113 percent, so we are not eating foods locally produced,” he stressed. “We are importing foods high in fat, high in sugar. We are eating more and exercising less.”
Meantime, various Diabetes Associations across the island were recognized today and were presented with certificates.
They are the Grandbay Diabetes Association, Castle Bruce Diabetes Association, Salisbury Diabetes Association, Dublanc Diabetes Association, Penville Diabetes Association and Roseau Diabetes Association.
The DOMDA is observing their AGM under the theme: “Waste the Waist.”
“f you are always hating up on people and preaching vile it will eventually affect your mind, body and spirit.”(Barbara Sunders).
There is no other simple way I can describe what you wrote in the quote excepts to say that is total nonsense; people should not talk such rubbish in a situation like this. In any event when someone criticize another they must have some better to offer, which is related to the situation at hand.
So, let me introduce you to a part of medical science which has everything to do with obesity!
The terminology is “Metabolism” which is the sum of the physical, and chemical process by which living organized substance is built up and maintained: anabolism, by which large molecules are broken down into smaller molecules to make energy available to the organism; that is actually catabolism, hence, we have the adjective metabolic. These processes essentially are concerned with the disposition of the nutrients absorbed into the blood. There are two phases…
Cont.
There are two phases of metabolism; the anabolic, and the catabolic phase. The anabolic, or shall we say constructive, is concerned with the conversion of simpler compounds derived from the nutrients into living, organized substances that the body cells can use.
In the catabolic, or destructive, phase these organized substances are reconverted into simpler compounds, with the release of energy necessary for the proper functioning of the body cells. The rate of metabolism can be increased by exercise elevated body temperature, as in a high fever, which can more than double the metabolic rate; by hormonal activity, such as that of thyroxine, insulin, and epinephrine; and by specific dynamic action that occurs following the ingestion of food, or anything you eat. Note: the basal metabolic rate refers to the lowest rate obtained while an individual is at complete physical, and mental rest.
Metabolic rate usually is expressed in terms of the amount of heat liberated during…
Conclusion:
Metabolic rate usually is expressed in terms of the amount of heat liberated during the chemical reactions of metabolism. Approximately 25% of all energy from nutrients are utilized by the body to carry on its normal function the remainder becomes heat.
In this case when the body to carry out it normal function, some people becomes obese . And if you do not understand what you read the next time you visit your doctor ask them to explain it to you, any nutritionist should be able to explain that function to you.
“In this case when the body to carry out it normal function,”
In this case when the body fail to respond, and carry out its normal functions metabolically, and the body cells fail to utilize the food some people eat appropriately, then obesity is the result!
I am not excusing the habit of overeating, which is a disease as any other! There are compulsive eaters, some binge;, once they get started as someone who is alcoholic they just eat out of control.
I wouldnt tell them nothing! let them become fat pigs and die from clogged arteries. All the souse and black pudding and pork meals with endless starch (rice, provisions, spaghetti/pasta, fig pie, potato salad, – all in one plate!) all smothered in gravy with hardly any salad. let them kill themselves. greedy pigs that they like. when they finish they saying is so the man or the woman like it. well let them like the hospital bill too.
Bondieu…what a fat person ever do to you? They take your man/woman? Why can’t you give advice without spewing all all this vitriol. Mind your pressure rise over this issue, because I know you meg and healthy…u can never get clogged arteries because that is for the greedy pigs.
For Dominica
whats your point ?
Man I love black pudding , I love fwansheen , I love souse , so did my father,he lived till 89, my mother grow up on boodein ,man she still dere pleasing doctors at 92 , she threading her needles and can relate stories from when she was 15 . I was watching tv one day and something came on in smaller print than normal, I put on my spectacles and the lady was in stitches , I thought she was laughing at something on the tv , she jumped up and said I should have asked her to read to me like she used to my bed time stories ,that’s the first time she had seen me wear specs .
Man West Indian food is healthy food ,like everything else it has to be consumed in moderation .
Now dow say anyfing about de rum, where I grow up de fishermen used to be legless at nights but when I make a toback and going home douvan jour is dem same legless men i would see up at 4 am heading out for the days fishing , many of them are still there in their 80s and 90s .
The food that was grown back then was of a different quality though , what you people call organic today . My uncle was one of Da’s top farmers and i’ll let you into a likkle secret , everything we grew in the yard was for home and family consumption ,from the bananas right down to the celery , we bought nothing for the kitchen ,but everything for sale was grown out in the fields , fertilizer involved, even de chicken for our eggs and consumption , were fed and kept differently than those for sale , ours ate grass, coconut, bananas , all kine of fruits and veg , those in the large fowl house ate artificial foods .
SO MODERN MAN IS WHAT HE IS FED THESE DAYS .
that’s why only small potions at a time should do .
You must help your fellow people. If you can offer advice in a kind manner, you should. They could eat whatever they like but in moderation and not too often. Consider the amount of people worldwide who eat everything and who still live long and healthily.
What they should do is to eat less and observe proper nutrition. It could correct their health, obese situation if done in time. When they are diagnosed they should cut out unhealthy habits.
Know that skinny people need some flesh on their bodies. What if they get sick and are suffering, in less than no time they will have no flesh.
No more local food, due to the state of agriculture in D/ca, so thats the result of junk food
But in our defense, the rights foods are too expensive. The shortsighted govt increasing the prices of sugar without making the alternative cheaper. Make the good foods affordable then we will have no excuse why we cant eat well
Poor nutrition is the main cause..many years ago ,women would plant vegetables while men plant starchy foods and had home grown animals to supply meat…the majority of these people are dead and more often their children are not taking over..not because they are all lazy ,but the system never improved at a higher scale in order to sell and export the food..very few people have a good job , some people who cannot afford a tank of gas prefer buying processed foods which is not healthy for the body…children were walking to school in the villages ,now they hitch a ride to school,we ate fruits during break time at school,now is chips ,sweet biscuits,sweets and imported juices.We had no right to say I do not want this or that food ,now kids talk back and demand what they want,,,I saw an obese little girl who had difficulty breathing,,I made the remark to her mother about the child’s weight,the mother said,she took that by her father’s family.This ignorance.Say no to children.Eat less…
As I have stated, it is a worldwide situation. I heard on the Toronto News that more people eat out than purchase food at the grocery. This is true. It is easier for them to sit down in a restaurant or go to a fast food outlet. They also order from their home.
There are some who prefer going to MacDonald’s, Tm Horton’, Starbucks and the likes for their morning cup of coffee and eats rather than make one at their home. Some of them love socializing in those places with others. If those outlets are near where they reside, it is a temptation for them. Some of them suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problem, to mention a few illnesses but they do not care. I wonder if they care at all, eating well, living well and consider that they would like to live long.
If those outlets were not near their home, they probably would not go there. This includes the beer and liquor stores. Those enterprises know where to build to attract customers.
I REMEMBER WHEN ?????????????????????
I remember when the sea used to be happy when night falls and all chiren go to bed staying out of it .
Today dem modern day chiren passing and cutting de sea eyes.
price of development .De next level .
I Remember ????????
I REMEMBER WHEN …………..
I remember when a stroll, hand in hand, was the result of a successful and determined ”BREAK” .
These days breaks are made with fingers on a cell phone or key pad , culminating in a trip through the drive thru at KFC.
You remember ?????????????
If you lived in Roseau and surroundings, taking a walk on Bay Street or simply in town all around the stores and window shop. Visiting family and friends.
Then going to the botanical gardens for a stroll with family and friends especially on a Sunday afternoon, the women, men and children all dressed up.
And of course going for a swim either in the sea, the falls or river; picnicking.
What happened to leisure time? Today, TV, computer, internet and other technologies took over.
Those were the days.
Today, the Lord must be frowning upon us and feeling sorry for us to see the way we live.
“Dr. Xuereb stated that one of the most important risk factors for diabetes is obesity, “and here the data is even more alarming for Dominica.”(Xuereb).
Such sentiments although it may sound reasonable to most people who are not scientifically, or medically educated to diabetes; and the most probable cause may agree that obesity is the cause of diabetes. If that was the case, almost every obese person in the United States, and the universe in general would be diabetic, or hyperglycemic.
Where it pertains to obesity, excessive accumulation of fat in the body; increase in weight beyond that considered desirable with regard to age, height, and bone structure classifies one as “obese.” One must take into account what is meant by ‘excessive body fat. An overweight person is not actually an obese person even though, her/his body weight is in excess of the normal range according to a weight chart, if he/she does not have excess body fat.
A large body frame and dense…
Continuation:
A large body frame and dense musculature, as in an athlete, can contribute to a person’s weighing more than the weight indicated as optimal on a weight chart. In an effort to establish a more precise guidelines, the following standards are established: Overweight persons weigh 10% (ten percent) more than their optimum weight; obese persons weigh 15% (fifteen percent) more, whereas grossly obese persons weigh 20% (twenty percent) or more above their optimum weight.
By some reason or the other, there are many millions of people alive who are grossly obese who are not diabetic, whereas there are children born normal not obese, yet they are born with diabetes. I am diagnosed type ll however, the knowledge I acquired over the years as a medical student help me to understand I am actually type l. The most I weighed is one (192 lbs) pounds to date, and that is caused by the use of insulin, prior to that I lived maintaining a weight of 170 lbs.
I think those who…
Finally:
I think those who blames diabetes on obesity is actually misleading by disseminating false information; if obesity is the cause; where does heredity comes in? If to date we know it is in our genetic make up, it is in our DNA, which is most likely a danged gene, how can anyone who calls themselves doctor can zero in on obesity as the cause, and not informed people of the cause which is hereditary.
No wonder there are people in Dominica talking nonsense about beating diabetes, if obesity was the main cause the easy way to cure the disease would be to simply loose weight, unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease, it can only be controlled by medical treatment. Now there is a situation in pregnancy, some women have diabetic tendencies, after delivery they once again becomes normal; however, as they get older, they, becomes fully blown diabetics, how do you account for that doctor?
Next Level ????????????????????
Wake uo Domincans. Take charge of your health.
http://www.indiatimes.com/news/world/meet-ernestine-shepherd-the-80-year-old-iron-pumping-grandma-who-s-the-world-s-oldest-bodybuilder-257105.html
One question we can ask is why do we do the things that we do? Why do we eat foods that will make us sick, suffer and die painfully? Is it due to lack of education, lack of discipline, more affordable bad food, fake lifestyle (“I have a car so let me go through the drive-thru”) or all of those?
The day people get sober and REDUCE their consumption of bread, bakes and other wheat products, fried meats and foods, ground provisions, sugary foods and drinks, and then do more walking and physical activities, that will be a new day and the beginning of a healthier Dominica. It will take each adult person though, to take responsibility and make the hard decisions for themselves and for the people for whom they are responsible. It will also take good corporate citizens to help motivate and support healthier lifestyles.
I live in the US and barely eat a burger or pasta as I rather eat fig, dasheen, breadfruit. What Dominicans don’t realize is that fast food make you fatter. A lot of the foods people in DA are eating right now is full of empty calories. Eat junk you will become junk, eat healthy you will stay healthy. All the white rice, white flour, sweets, KFC etc is not the best for your health. Eat those in moderation because if you eat these daily you will see the results on your body. Give me a fig, the poor mans food which is much healthier than what Dominicans are eating now.
We know bad habits are hard to break. Some people could eat anything and not gain weight whereas some do. I suppose it depends on the physic.
There are many more vehicles in D/ca than ever. Gone are the days when most walked for miles. Brisk walking is exercise and is slimming.
Their doctor, nurse or dietitian should advise them about nutritious eating and drinking. How many of them eat a salad, greens as lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, sweet peppers, not as a meal but as a side dish. These consist of water which goes in the body and out; an excellent body cleanser.
How many eat fresh fruits?
Too much of one thing is good for nothing. Cut down on the portion of food and leave room for fruits as dessert. They should try not to eat a heavy meal late at night. They should eat less of processed, packaged and can foods; drink no pop, if none at all. Drink water, juice and milk.
They should take a lesson from Ma Topie who recently turned 104 and is still alert.
” I suppose it depends on the physic.”
Oh; how some people can talk rubbish, and idiots gives thumbs up: physic (s) “natural science;” its a science that deals with matter, and energy, and their interactions, it is the physical process, and phenomena of a particular system; the physical properties, and composition of something, not related to the human body.
In Biology, and chemistry we learn: matter is anything which occupy space, and has weight! Energy on the other hand can be defied in many different ways: i.e., the capacity of acting or being active. Hence usable power, as heat or electricity, which is the resource for producing such power is ‘energy”
In any event I fell confidence to say “physics” derive from a combination of matter and energy, so how can that be associated with obesity!
Physic – A short word which is used where I reside for, “physical body.” Those who are accustomed to hearing it know it. These broadminded, intelligent people who are conversant with it will not question it nor insult those who use it because they are aware it is used, as in the aforementioned.
No matter how you try to polish it, you are still talking rubbish, and that garbage has no relevance to diabetes, nor obesity!
You are trying hard to be right, but the more nonsense you write on the subject is the more stupid you make yourself. Everybody in Canada are not academically educated, and most speak the worst English on earth. The same like every other nationality.
Now if you used the term “physique” you may have come close; talking about living in your circles is a bunch of baloney; for all I care they could be as ignorant as you are! Physique implies the form or body structure of a person; our bodily makeup!
If you continue to justify the fact you don’t know you are a fool!
In Dominica, The FATTER a woman is, the more beautiful she considers herself to be. This is one of the most saddest things to witness in Dominica.
She considers herself to be! I like that because its true “she considers herself”
They so proud of being fat and obese they have a
queen show for that. What a country.
DOMINICAN women are FAT. Apparently hanging abdomens and back fat is the new sexy. Disgusting.
It is not only Dominican women. Every country has them. Furthermore, you generalized. It is not all Dominican women. I know some women in Dominica who are not obese.
atop adviser to skerritt said that agriculture is a has been industry/at the same time he opened up k f c to the public I rest my case
He opened up KFC? There is KFC in nearly every country, if not all. People must eat in moderation.
There are fast food outlets where I reside, MacDonald’s, a take-out chicken outlet, pizza, and a West Indian take out restaurant. There is also a Tim Horton’s. Further down the road is KFC. There are other fast foods a few blocks away. Once in a while I will eat fast foods. I cannot tell the last time I ate any. I will admit a treat once in a while is good..
Tonight, as I passed by I could not believe the number of people in vehicles who were going to the drive-in at MacDonald’s. Some were in the sit-in area inside. For the drivers, I thought, “Do they not cook at home? The food is tasty and so they appear to be addicted to it.
One morning I saw a neighbor on his way to work seeping a cup of coffee he bought from Starbucks.. I said to him, “You didn’t make coffee at home?” I bet he would not want me to see him again with a cup of coffee.
Stay there and talk about which friend of skerrit that open KFC meanwhile your sugar hitting the roof idiot
Yesterday i had a conversation about diabetes with my mom. My grand parents generation lived to thier 80s and 90s before they got those sickness. My parents generation by late 30s to 50s. Certainly lifestyle has changed, but in mordern time when we are supposed to live longer its the opposite. The old folks walked everywhere and worked hard. When i grew up home we played cricket and soccer whole day. Today sports is only played with the fingers. I learn hard work nah kill and people have become lazy in every sense and aspect. It is sad. The problem is this is progressive over long period of time. If we nah change habits, midset and attitude it is only going get worst from there.
The life style has to be reclaimed to make any dent in those figures.
When I was a boy and living on this garden of Eden, my classmate & a relative who co-incidentally are authors of the novel with a similar name.They can leave the political theme and turn it to life as young men from high school to pre-university-we ate guavas ,bananas, fish (did not SEWO every week end we were pushing books at nights.(reason for where we are today and not obese & sick.
If every political event begins and ends in rum what else are we to expect from the surveys?
Windsor park is no longer available for city dwelers. Young people don’t go camping mountain climbing as we did in our youth.
There are too many sewos too many political & social events. events.
From Capuicin- scottshead,Roseau to Laplain-it’s Fete innocent, fishermen fete, wet t-shirt splash, creole fest, independence, x-mas, carnival easter, add yours readers.
The body is over fed too much BBQ’s KFC rum punch there in the…
epidermic D/cans are confronted with today. take a look at the # of amputees from D.M
Most of free time is spent drinking and eating imported food. D/cans will soon see an epidemic in senility
as can food consumption is in. Al is a contributor to Alzheimers. The barrel syndrome add insult to injury.
I rest my case DA.Things are not only bad politically,socially,economically nut gastronomically too.I guess their is a common and linking thread.
And we need to add the toxic social environment which worries some true Dominicans to death wondering what kind of country we will have ten years from now. Every issue has to descend into a hate talk and a blame talk. Few people stop to analyse and honestly put the responsibility where it belongs.
They say a major part of wellness is mindset. If you are always hating up on people and preaching vile it will eventually affect your mind, body and spirit.
Finally someone has the guts to say it. Tell a Dominican woman she’s fat – she will so no she is “thickers”. What is “thickers”? Is that the Creole word for fat?
We need to get back to living the way our ancestors did – off the land. Eating the healthy food we were blessed with. WAKE UP DOMINICA.
The sad thing is they don’t know the meaning of “thickers” Thickers means having well toned muscular legs, hips and butt, but a decent size overall and flat abs. Thickers is not the big taytay on belly legs rubbing with so much meat, that’s UGLY. You don’t get to be thickers by eating nonsense you get so by eating well and exercising.
Smh……when will they ever listen, dcans could careless about their day lives period..
they pay NO ATTENTION..to anything..so disclosing the infor is pointless..
they still flock into KFC, and drinking the hard liquor in a hasty fashion…
Dominica is lost because of the lack luster attitude towards life on the island…
You give Dcans the facts they bray for a few mins then resorted to the same ole practices, it’s dominica what should one expect, their economy is dead, mediocrity is art of their livelihood so what again should we expect…lawd!!