The number of Taiwanese people with diabetes is steadily increasing. That’s despite Taiwan’s strong healthcare system. Health professionals are saying that prevention must begin with people’s habits.
Fluctuations in blood sugar are a primary concern for people looking to stave off diabetes. However, the Taiwanese Association of Diabetes Educators says that people aren’t doing enough to monitor their blood sugar levels. Close to 60% of the population fails to do so in an effective manner.
Association head Tu Shih-te says insulin hormones in Asian people are weaker, meaning that post-meal blood-sugar levels are higher. Tu says people should measure their blood sugar before and after meals. If the difference between the two measurements is over 60 milligrams per milliliter, then it’s important to be careful about sugar intake.
Type 2 Diabetes cases have risen across the board over the past few years. Between 2000 and 2014, the number of people with Type 2 Diabetes has risen 2.6-fold. As of 2019, over 2.2 million people in Taiwan have the disease.
The primary reason for this surge in diabetes cases is due to eating habits. Diabetes brings with it a set of other health-risks, so it’s best to eat in moderation and exercise regularly to stave it off.