Two British experts estimate that lifestyle changes and bad dietary habits could lead to an increase of 283% in the number of diabetes cases by 2030 in Saudi Arabia, reports the daily Arab News.
According to Philip David Home, professor at Newcastle University and one of the two experts, diabetes and heart diseases are the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia.
Besides diet that is high in meat products, the day-by-day events for the average Saudi Arabian leans towards a sedentary lifestyle.
Saudi Arabia has the second highest percentage of diabetics in the Gulf Cooperation Council states, with the United Arab Emirates taking the lead where 18% of the population has the disease. The large increase expected in the next 20 years means diabetes could become one of the country’s most serious threats.
But the diabetes epidemic is quickly spreading all across the Gulf States, poising a serious healthcare challenge to most of the oil-rich countries in the region. In mid-March, Qatar hosted an international conference on diabetes and metabolic syndrome where researchers presented their latest findings. More than 10% of the small state’s healthcare budget goes towards diabetes, exerting a heavy toll on the country.