Over the years many believe sugary foods are the major cause of diabetes but the Diabetes Association of Ghana has proven otherwise. Statistics show that three out of every five people is susceptible to the diabetes disease not because of sugar but fat. Leadership of the KNUST chapter of the Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Association is therefore cautioning students to desist from too much fatty food to reduce the incidence of contracting diabetes.
This, in addition to smoking, too much alcohol and eating late without exercise, they say are leading causes of the disease than sugary foods.
National Health Coordinator for the Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Association, Isaac Nyantakyi is worried many concentrate on reducing their sugar level but overlook their fat.
He adds that fatty foods especially fried rice has become the one-stop delicacy for most students especially the males in recent times. A situation he fears is gradually creating a diabetic prone society on campus.
“If you add fried rice with the fried chicken you are putting your life at risk. Because of the fat in this food at least once a week will be enough. “We are advising that as students if you continue this lifestyle at this point in life, you are digging your own grave,” he said.
As the world marked world diabetes day on Tuesday, the association screened over 400 people which included students and lecturers for sugar level, blood pressure and body mass index.
The move which happens to be part of the Association’s Health Awareness Week Celebration sought to increase awareness of the diabetes disease. Some students who benefited from the screening lauded the initiative.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nyantakyi states that frequent exercise is key among the many measures to prevent the disease especially among students.
