The volume comes from 55 billion 250-ml bottles; sugary drinks, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles are contributing to obesity among children and adolescents
Karachi: Pakistanis consume around 55 billion 250-ml bottles of beverages, or 13.75 billion litres, annually, while sugary drinks, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles are contributing to childhood obesity, with around 18 million children and adolescents affected, health experts warned on Wednesday.
“Pakistan consumes approximately 55 billion bottles of beverages annually,” said leading diabetologist Dr Abdul Basit, warning that sugary drink consumption was contributing to obesity and diabetes.
With each bottle containing 250 millilitres, the annual consumption amounts to around 13.75 billion litres of beverages.
The warning came at a World Diabetes Day seminar organised by the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), where experts discussed the role of unhealthy diets, sugary drinks, lack of physical activity and changing lifestyles in rising obesity and diabetes.
Dr Asma Ahmed, a diabetologist and endocrinologist at Aga Khan Hospital, said obesity and diabetes were closely linked but often treated separately. The concept of “Diabesity”, she said, emphasised addressing both together.
Some children with obesity already had prediabetes and insulin resistance, significantly increasing their risk of type 2 diabetes, she said.
“Diabetes is only one part of a much wider spectrum of health complications associated with obesity,” Dr Ahmed said, warning of serious consequences for the country’s future health.
People often underestimated their sugar intake, she said. Even 10 cups of sweetened tea could provide 10 teaspoons of sugar a day.
She said families often considered overweight children healthy, while eating out had become a major form of family entertainment, encouraging unhealthy habits.
Dr Basit said research nearly two decades ago suggested people with diabetes could not safely fast during Ramadan. A Ramadan Study Group was formed 18 years ago to study the issue scientifically and develop evidence-based recommendations.
Subsequent research helped develop guidelines for fasting under medical supervision and with necessary precautions, he said.
It took three years of sustained efforts to convince the government to raise beverage taxes and discourage sugary drink consumption, which contributes significantly to obesity and diabetes, he said.
Dr Basit said he initiated the National Diabetes Network and a Prime Minister’s programme aimed at addressing diabetes was expected to launch soon. Religious scholars had also been trained over the past year to promote awareness of diabetes and prevention in their communities.
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Vice President Iram Ghafoor said the federation grew from 16 member associations in 1950 to 264 associations in 164 countries.
World Diabetes Day began in 1991, and the United Nations later recognised diabetes as a major global public health concern, she said. Awareness, prevention and management, she added, must remain year-round priorities.
She said approximately nine million people in Pakistan were unaware they had diabetes, while another 35 million were at risk of developing the disease.
Diagnosis was only the first step, she said; preventing complications and helping patients understand changes in their health were also vital for effective management.
Blood glucose testing strips remained expensive for many patients, Ghafoor said, making education about regular monitoring essential. Those able to afford Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems could monitor glucose more effectively, she added.
She warned that sleeping late and eating at night could adversely affect diabetes management. People with diabetes should inspect their feet daily for wounds, infections or other complications before they became serious, she advised.
Dr Saad Khalid Niaz, director of the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN), said tackling childhood obesity required changes in parents’ and children’s behaviour and eating habits.
Parents often gave children money to order food, while excessive mobile phone use reduced physical activity and outdoor recreation, he said.
Overeating and unhealthy diets contributed to disease and premature deaths worldwide; frequent consumption of rich, fatty foods and excess calories could cause serious health conditions, he warned.
NICVD Executive Director Dr Tahir Saghir said reducing excess body weight could help prevent diabetes and other serious diseases, particularly cardiovascular conditions.
A balanced diet, avoiding excess calories and incorporating regular physical activity into daily life were essential to control obesity and reduce the risk of diabetes and related illnesses, he said.
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