Diabetes a concern in St Lucia

Sat, July 21, 2012 - 9:52 AM

CASTRIES, St Lucia - A new study by a British medical expert shows that a high percentage of St Lucians are diabetic and that most of them are unaware of their status.

The study by Dr Ken Earl was presented to a meeting of health officials this week and is being described as “alarming”.

The data indicate that more than 7 000 St Lucians are diabetic and that the island has the fastest growing number of diabetics across the nine-member sub-regional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

"Diet is certainly playing a major part, but I doubt we can go as far as banning certain foods as that has implications for what people can afford and whether or not it is an enforceable sort of policy,” said Dr Earl.

"But certainly there is need for more education in terms of people making correct choices, and I believe those choices need to be part of the education we impart on our children, in terms of a preventative policy for our future," he added.

The study showed that while eight per cent of the adult population here is diabetic, up to 3 000 of them may not be aware of their status.

Health Specialist Sharon Belmar-George said much education is required to stem the increase. (CMC)