Type 2 diabetes is a silent scourge that Singaporeans may have a one-in-two chance of developing in their lifetime by 2050, forecast the authors of a research paper published in the BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care journal in 2014.
If left untreated or poorly managed, it may wreak havoc on the body, affecting everything from vision to sexual function, mental health and sleep.
It is also one of the leading causes of blindness, amputations, nerve damage and kidney failure, and can increase heart attack and stroke risk, explained endocrinologist Goh Kian Peng. Dr Goh is a director and senior consultant at Saint-Julien Clinic for Diabetes and Endocrinology at Mount Alvernia Hospital, and a member of the AIA Quality Healthcare Partners panel of doctors.
“Diabetes and its dangers are not unfamiliar to Singaporeans. But because sufferers may not have symptoms in the early stages of diabetes, it is easy to put off screening and treatment until their ailment becomes more serious,” said Dr Goh.
The 2010 National Health Survey reported that an estimated 11.3 per cent of Singapore residents aged 18 to 69 had diabetes — compared to 8.2 per cent reported in the 2004 survey. Alarmingly, 51.4 per cent of them had not been previously diagnosed.
This uptick was corroborated by 2015 statistics from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), which showed that 12.8 per cent of people aged 20 to 79 here suffered from the disease. Grim numbers also point to a poor prognosis of the future state of the disease here. No thanks to rising obesity rates, Type 2 diabetes is expected to hit Singaporeans at a younger age.
Source: International Diabetes Federation. Adults refer to those aged between 20 and 79.
Last May, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) projected that 34 per cent of people aged 24 to 35 would be “susceptible to diabetes” by the time they are 65. The condition usually develops later in life, between the ages of 50 and 60.
Understand diabetes
Obesity and a lack of exercise are key contributors to Type 2 diabetes, which is caused by insulin resistance, said Dr Goh. It accounts for up to 90 per cent of all cases here.
No definite triggers can be identified for Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, which usually occurs in children and is characterised by a lack of insulin at the onset.
Diabetes is a disease that requires lifelong medical care and constant vigilance, along with lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising regularly and dietary modifications.
Taking care of yourself matters
The factors that improve your chances of averting Type 2 diabetes are unmistakable: Regular screening, a healthy diet and exercise. Consider these 11 points.
1. Regular screening
Early detection of diabetes may save lives, and those with one or more of these risk factors should undergo screening, according to Dr Goh:
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| Obesity | Hypertension |
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| Have a first-degree relative with diabetes | Have a previous history of gestational diabetes (an affliction triggered by the stress of pregnancy) |
2. The recommended time interval for these adults if the result of the first screening is normal: Once every 3 years.
3. The age at which screening should start for those without risk factors: 40
4. Could diabetes be lurking inside you? Take the AIA Diabetes quiz at www.aia.com.sg/scoreagainstdiabetes.
5. What your meals should look like if you want to keep diabetes at bay, according to Dr Goh:
MORE: Whole grains, vegetables. fruits, and fibre
LESS: Refined carbohydrates, saturated fats and processed foods
6. The possible fall in diabetes risk when you swap 20% of white rice for brown rice or whole grains, according to the Health Promotion Board and Glycemic Index Research Unit (GIRU), Temasek Polytechnic: 16%
7. Not sure where to find healthier dining options in Singapore? Visit www.aia.com.sg/scoreagainstdiabetes to get your copy of the Brown Rice Guide produced by AIA and HungryGoWhere.
8. According to a study published in The BMJ in 2000, lowering HbA1c levels, a marker for blood glucose control, by 1% reduces patients’ risk of:
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| Amputation by 43% | Microvascular complications by 37% |
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| Heart failure by 16% | Stroke by 12% |
9. The amount of moderate-intensity exercise the 2010 National Health Survey recommends: 150 minutes per week
10. According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2002, the possible fall in diabetes risk when those who are likely to develop the condition do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly is 58%
11. According to a study published in the British Journal of Medicine in 2011, the recommended daily number of steps for a possible improvement in insulin sensitivity, which may reduce diabetes risk is 10,000
The cascading effects of diabetes on the body aside, there is the financial side of the disease to contend with. It requires long-term care that can be expensive, and patients may not be prepared financially and psychologically to properly manage it.
According to the AIA Health Matters Survey conducted last year, Singaporeans were financially unprepared for critical illnesses, and one in three did not have critical illness cover. It does not help that those with pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, are often excluded from full coverage, or may be subject to premium loading.
Still, taking care of yourself need not be a complicated process. Plan for a future in the face of illness with these two sophisticated yet practical solutions from AIA that address your concerns.
Solution 1: AIA Diabetes Care
AIA Diabetes Care is the first critical illness insurance plan in Singapore specially designed for pre-diabetics and Type 2 diabetics.
The plan aims to help these groups of people plug the protection gap by providing coverage for five common diabetes-related critical conditions — blindness, coronary artery blockage, heart attack of a specified severity, kidney failure and stroke.
It also provides an extra payout when procedures such as limb amputations are required, as well as an option for add-on cancer cover.
The plan is guaranteed renewable, and premiums will remain unchanged until the customer turns 80 years old — no premium hikes in the future to worry about.
Additionally, getting health cover is hassle-free, with no pre-enrolment medical examination required. The patient only needs to declare his pre-existing illness by answering five simple questions, including this one: When was your condition diagnosed?
Solution 2: AIA Vitality
AIA Vitality is a wellness programme that helps give AIA customers the tools they need to develop a healthier lifestyle.
These include the free online Vitality Nutrition Assessment that encourages healthy eating, and health-screening packages.
AIA Vitality members also earn points for making healthy lifestyle choices, from exercising to choosing healthier foods.
In addition, members who accumulate enough AIA Vitality points may qualify for rewards, such as discounts of up to 15 per cent on future insurance premiums, depending on the AIA Vitality status of the member.
Produced by the TODAY Special Projects Team
