• Dr. Youssef Bou Abbas emphasized that the study is a critical reminder for mothers to avoid high intake of sugar, carbohydrates, and starches during pregnancy and to limit the child’s exposure to a diet high in sugars and starches after birth to promote long-term health.
Dr. Youssef Bou Abbas, founder of the Kuwait Obesity Association and a consultant in endocrinology, announced findings from a new study published in the prestigious medical journal Science. The study reveals that when a baby is exposed to a low-sugar environment through the mother during pregnancy and in the first two years after birth, the child’s risk of developing type– 2 diabetes later in life is reduced by 35 percent, and the risk of high blood pressure is lowered by 20 percent, as reported by Al Jarida newspaper.
Bou Abbas told the newspaper that this is due to lower insulin levels and body weight, which increase susceptibility to acquired diseases such as type 2 diabetesand high blood pressure.
He emphasized that this study is a critical reminder for mothers to avoid high intake of sugar, carbohydrates, and starches during pregnancy and to limit the child’s exposure to a diet high in sugars and starches after birth to promote long-term health.
Meanwhile, the diabetes departments and units of the Ministry of Health are celebrating World Diabetes Day, observed annually on November 14.
This celebration aims to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes on society, as well as ways to prevent and manage the condition. This year’s theme is “Quality of Life with Diabetes,” highlighting the daily challenges faced by millions of people worldwide in managing the disease.
Recent statistics show that the rate of type 2 diabetes in Kuwait, which primarily affects adults, exceeds 25 percent. This rate is influenced by several factors, including genetics, lifestyle, physical inactivity, and the lack of regular exercise.
Additionally, the statistics indicate a high rate of type 1 diabetes in Kuwait, particularly among children, with 41 cases diagnosed per 100,000 children under the age of 14 annually.
