Did you know that Singapore has the second-highest proportion of diabetics in developed nations worldwide?
Or that each day, four Singaporeans undergo amputations as a result of Diabetes?
With a population of 5.6 million people, there were more than 600,000 cases of diabetes in 2017. This number is expected to grow to 1 million by 2050. This means that by the age of 70, one in two people will be diabetic – a drastic increase from the current rate of one in every three.
Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case. Over 90 percent of Diabetics have Type 2 Diabetes which is caused by lifestyle factors and are thus highly preventable through making changes to one’s lifestyle and becoming more active.
What causes Type 2 Diabetes?
It is caused when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. This develops when excess glucose in the blood reduces the ability of the cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy. In order to compensate, the pancreas has to produce higher amounts of insulin to cope with the rising blood sugar levels. However, the pancreas will eventually reach a point where it cannot keep up with the body’s demand for insulin. The two biggest factors leading to Type 2 Diabetes is being overweight or inactive.
The Solution
According to the National Health Survey in 2010, it was found that 4 in 10 Singaporeans aged 18 to 69 did not exercise enough.
Their solution; moderate-intensity exercise of 150 minutes a week is recommended, with a positive relationship found between physical activity and prevention of Type 2 Diabetes. Regular exercise leads to an increased rate of metabolism. In response to the increased level of activity, muscles adapt to take up more blood sugar. Hence, physical exercise is considered essential in terms of both treating and preventing insulin resistance.
With exercise found to be instrumental in preventing the onslaught of diseases like Diabetes, it is very important for children to start developing good habits from a young age. According to the Health Promotion Board, 7 out of 10 children who are overweight at the age of 7 will remain that way well into their adult years.
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About Sport4Kids
Sport4Kids, the leading sports coaching company in Asia, was established in Hong Kong in 2011. We provide professional, structured, and engaging sports programmes to children in international and local schools, kindergartens, sports clubs, and condos.
Our staff are highly qualified and experienced in working with children. With our knowledge and expertise, we aim to give all children the opportunity to live an active and healthy lifestyle. Currently, we operate in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
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