Smoking, lack of exercise risk factors in diabetes — researchers

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and use of harmful pesticides contribute to the incidence of diabetes, scientists have warned. 

Meru University's food science department chairperson Rebecca Ebere said the rising cases of type 2 diabetes in Kenya is alarming. 

Ebere said a study they carried out in Western Kenya showed the majority of diabetes cases were in urban areas but there was also a rise in rural areas where the residents have changed diets. 

“Physical activity in rural areas has come down due to dependence on boda bodas as a mode of transport, thus cases of diabetes are on the rise,” Ebere said

Ebere said exercise and good diet would reduce chances of getting type 2 diabetes. 

She spoke at the institution during a biotechnology research workshop. 

Participants were drawn from Okayama University in Japan, the Meru University and other local universities. 

Age, physical inactivity, income and education levels are also contributing factors of the disease, she said.

Ebere said there are interventions people can take to avoid illnesses like diabetes. 

“Our genetic make-up cannot be modified but we can change lifestyle factors like excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, smoking and type of diet we eat,"

"If you take food which keep your blood sugar high continuously, at some point, your blood will resist insulin thus develop type 2 diabetes," she said.

Acting deputy VC in charge of academic and student affairs lauded the collaboration between players in the research sector.

Mworia Erick, a lecturer at the institution said the workshop was meant to help young scientists grow.

He said agriculture, food security, education, food science, health, and other sectors of our economy are dependent on research.

Yasutaka Kubo from Okayama University said he was happy to join Kenyan researchers in the workshop.

“I am excited to meet young scientists from different universities to exchange knowledge and ideas for future engagements,” he said.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

In 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes. In 2016, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths and in 2012 high blood glucose was the cause of another 2.2 million deaths.