No diabetics in poor countries

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 7

No diabetics in poor countries

If persons from poor countries were exposed to a better standard of living, diabetes was one result, the executive secretary of the International Diabetes Federation (Mr J. Jackson) said in Christchurch The Internationa] Diabetes Federation j s based in London, and has offices in New York. It has members in 53 countries. One of its main functions is to organise a congress every three years, so that persons studying diabetes can discuss advances made. Mr Jackson said that poorer countries with starving populations did not have diabetes, but exposure to a better standard of living brought a risk of diabetes. An example of this was the Aboriginals, who, for the sake of their welfare, had been moved to urban areas.

Diabetes was an incurable disease which had been known about for 3000 years. However, in 15 years time a cure for it might be found. A tremendous amount of research was being done throughout the world and a method of prevention of diabetes might be achieved before the discovery of the cure, said Mr Jackson. Diabetes could well be caused in children by a virus which, if identified, should be preventable. In adults, diabetes was thought to be a hereditary factor. If adults with this genetic factor became overweight, then diabetes could appear. If the weight was controlled, it was possible diabetes would not appear until they were much older. Diabetes was usually controlled by diet and medication. While in Christchurch, Mr Jackson spoke to doctors, diabetics and parents about the disease. He left Christchurch on Sunday evening for Los Angelas.