DIABETES AND PREVENTION: Experts Warn of Rising Cases In Nigeria

DIABETES AND PREVENTION - Experts Warn of Rising Cases in Nigeria

In a compelling health feature aired on AIT News Hour, medical experts and wellness advocates raised alarm over the escalating prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria, linking it to lifestyle choices, dietary habits, and systemic gaps in public health awareness.

The report, anchored by health correspondent Aumitu and followed by an in-depth studio conversation with matron and wellness consultant Esther Aqui, painted a sobering picture of the nation’s growing diabetes burden.

According to the World Health Organization, over 11 million Nigerian adults currently live with diabetes, a figure projected to rise sharply if unhealthy consumption patterns persist. The disease, often misunderstood as merely a “sugar problem,” is in fact a chronic non-communicable condition rooted in insulin dysfunction. Excessive sugar intake, especially from sweetened beverages, pastries, and processed foods, contributes to insulin resistance, weight gain, and ultimately diabetes.

The report emphasized that sugar, while composed of glucose and fructose, becomes harmful when consumed in excess, leading to fat accumulation and systemic complications such as high blood pressure and kidney failure.

Experts explained that diabetes occurs when the body either fails to produce sufficient insulin or cannot effectively utilize it, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. Despite WHO’s recommendation that sugar intake should not exceed 10% of daily calories, roughly six teaspoons, many Nigerians far exceed this threshold. Risk factors include physical inactivity, obesity, genetic predisposition, and poor dietary choices.

To combat this trend, health professionals advocate a lifestyle overhaul. Regular physical activity, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, is crucial. Brisk walking, for instance, is recommended for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

However, modern conveniences and sedentary work routines have eroded such habits, contributing to rising obesity and type 2 diabetes cases.

Aumitu’s report introduced the mnemonic “DREAMS” as a framework for diabetes prevention, though its components were not explicitly detailed. 

Nonetheless, the message was clear: proactive lifestyle changes are essential.

Nigerians are urged to replace sugary snacks with fruits, drink water instead of soft drinks, avoid processed foods, and embrace balanced diets comprising carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables in appropriate proportions.

In the studio, Esther Aqui highlighted ignorance as a major driver of diabetes. She stressed that the condition is fundamentally an insulin issue, not just a sugar problem. She also challenged the notion that diabetes is incurable, citing global breakthroughs such as cellular transplants in China and gastrointestinal implants in Australia that regulate blood sugar.

In Nigeria, integrative medicine, combining natural remedies with scientific guidance, is gaining traction, offering non-invasive options like detoxification and cellular regeneration.

Early warning signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, insatiable hunger, numbness in extremities, and unexplained skin patches. 

Aqui recommended routine blood sugar checks using glucometers and more comprehensive tests like HBA1C and EAG for accurate diagnosis. She concluded that the best approach to managing diabetes is integrative medicine, which merges orthodox and alternative therapies to achieve optimal outcomes.

This special report underscores the urgent need for public education, policy reform, and personal responsibility in tackling diabetes.

As Nigeria grapples with this silent epidemic, the call to action is clear: prevention through awareness, lifestyle modification, and early detection must become national priorities.