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Poor people develop a higher risk of diabetes
More and more people in Germany are affected by poverty and thus have a higher risk of worsening their health than the richer population. "The risk of diabetes increases, and people in the lowest income group live between eight and ten years shorter than people in the highest income group," informed the German Diabetes Aid on their Internet portal "diabetesde.org". Doctors are now calling for a national rescue plan, which should include a healthier diet and more exercise for schoolchildren, as well as a fat and sugar tax.
(Image: Henrik Gerold Vogel / pixelio.de) Diabetes risk is particularly high in disadvantaged regions
In the face of the upcoming G-7 summit at Schloss Elmau, politicians and aid organizations are drawing attention to the dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes cases in Germany. Especially socially disadvantaged people would have an increased risk of "diabetes". "Poverty and health are related, here must be recognized and acted," demands the SPD Bundestag member Helga Kühn-Mengel.
According to the latest OECD Social Report, the richest 10 percent of Germans have over 60 percent of net household wealth. At the same time, poverty in this country has reached record levels. In 2012, 12.5 million people in Germany were affected by poverty. "This group includes almost every fifth child, over 40 percent of single parents and almost 60 percent of the unemployed," says Prof. Thomas Danne, CEO of the German Diabetes Aid. In addition, a worsening of regional differences in terms of social disadvantage can be observed. "This also distributes the disease risk in Germany in an unequal way," explains the physician. Because there is a connection between social and health situation: People from poorer regions are sicker and have a shorter life expectancy, the German Diabetes Help. "Among other things, their risk for diabetes type 2 increases by twenty, for obesity by thirty percent," says Danne.
Six million people are affected by type 2 diabetes in Germany
Even children from disadvantaged regions would have an increased risk of disease, which is due among other things to an unfavorable diet. "While children of parents with high schooling and high household incomes are more likely to eat a healthy diet, children from socially deprived backgrounds tend to eat a 'sweet scheme' that includes much processed and high calorie foods," the physician continues. In addition, poor children and adolescents often do not have the opportunity to do sports; They are overweight twice as often as financially better peers.
"There are already six million people in Germany with type 2 diabetes. There are 400 million worldwide. If nations do not respond to this diabetes tsunami with effective prevention strategies, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that by 2035, 600 million people will be affected by diabetes, "remarks Danne, who sees politics as a duty. A fat and sugar tax, quality criteria for school nutrition and at least one hour of exercise per day for each school child were necessary measures.
"We do not reach the lower social strata with leaflets, flyers and lectures, but only there - and that applies to adults and children alike - where they live, work, learn and play together: in the setting, in the living environment," explains Kühn-Mengel. "Anyone who wants to create equal opportunities for health today has to improve not only access to education, but also to health," emphasizes Danne.
Although the connection between health and lifestyle has been known for many decades, but has not yet arrived in politics, said the board of the umbrella organization of occupational health insurance BKK, Franz Knieps, compared to the online edition of "Die Welt". Statistics from the health insurance companies showed that the risk of diabetes is highest for the unemployed. A national diabetes plan is therefore essential.
Former President of the Berlin Chamber of Physicians, Ellis Huber, told the newspaper that "diabetes is a clear indicator of social health". Already children should be made aware of the trigger factors in day-care centers and schools, so that they developed an early awareness. "If we continue as we have, our children will have a shorter lifespan than we do," warns Huber.
Type 2 diabetes is greatly favored by unhealthy lifestyle
Type 2 diabetes often goes unnoticed for a long time. First symptoms include increased feeling of thirst, dry skin and itching, increased susceptibility to infection for, among other things, skin infections and urinary tract infections, dizziness, tiredness, nocturnal urination, headaches and muscle spasms. If the disease progresses unhindered, it damages nerves and blood vessels. Often the eyes and kidneys, but also in the arteries of the heart and in the brain are affected. Thus, diabetics often suffer from retinal detachment, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes.
The main risk factors for type 2 diabetes include overweight, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. (Ag)