Diabetes is a terrible disease that affects millions worldwide. More than 25% of Saudi Arabia's adult population is afflicted with diabetes, and that number is expected to top 50% by the year 2030. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, Saudi Arabia ranks #7 in the world for the incidence of diabetes, and 2nd among the Middle East countries. Exercise is one of the key factors in fighting diabetes, but here in Saudi Arabia, women are discouraged from exercising. For example, women are forbidden from riding a bicycle in public and most women are not taught to swim. As ludicrous as it sounds, girls sports in Saudi Arabia are discouraged because, among other things,
holy men consider female sports "unladylike" and have even gone so far as to state that women participating in sports can lead to homosexuality.
I await the day when the welfare of women is put ahead of these ridiculous notions dreamed up by the holy men of this country. For more reading:
Close to 5.5 million will have diabetes in Saudi Arabia by 2030
Diabetes among Saudis a major issue
Diabetes: Living with it, not for it
I didn't realize the diabetes percentage was so high. Still even without exercise the main offender with diabetes is sugar and I can imagine that the amount of sugar in the Saudi diet has risen a lot since the end of WWII.
ReplyDeleteHi Jerry - It's unbelievable how many chocolates and other sweets shops there are here in KSA. No matter where you go, sweets are always offered to guests. I don't have data, but sugar consumption must be astronomically high here.
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