Doha • It is estimated that approximately 16 per cent of the Qatari population is suffering from diabetes. According to a report published in Al Sharq, this is the one of the highest percentages of diabetics anywhere in the world.

Incidentally, children aged less than eight are falling prey to this disease.

The report attributes the high incidence of diabetes to unhealthy food eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. To make matters worse cases of those suffering from obesity and high blood pressure is also on the rise.

The Arabian Peninsula, the report pointed out has an alarmingly high proportion of diabetics.

In some cases diabetes, gives rise to foot ailments which in extreme cases can lead to amputation.

The health ministry needed to take stock of the situation and take urgent remedial steps to deal with the problem.

According to healthcare professionals, diabetes is essentially a lifestyle disease. “There is a tendency among kids to thrive on junk food. Children should be put on a proper diet and a regimen of exercise to prevent diabetes,” a senior doctor explained.

It is estimated that the world population will swell to around 8 billion by 2025, and out of this a staggering 333 million will be diabetics.