ETIM EKPO (AKWA IBOM) – A university don, Prof. Solomon Okosun, on Thursday urged both government and individuals to partner to tackle the growing incidences of diabetes and hypertension in Nigeria.
Okosun, an Associate Professor of Public Health at Georgia State University, U.S., made the suggestion during a lecture at Obong University, Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom.
He spoke on the topic, “The Epidemiology of Metabolic Syndrome in Populations of African descent”.
Okosun said that such a partnership would help tackle cases of metabolic syndrome in the country’s population and in other populations of African descent.
According to him, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions which manifest owing to increased blood pressure, high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Okosun said that these conditions increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes in the individual.
He traced the problem of the rising incidences of negative health conditions to some unhealthy lifestyles among Nigerians and populations of African descent, especially those living in the urban areas.
The guest lecturer maintained that people should not deliberately reduce physical activities and exercise from their daily routine.
He said that the mistaken notion had continued to act as a catalyst for the rising incidences of diabetes, hypertension and stroke.
“It is very common to see Nigerians living in urban areas, and in an attempt to show off their state of affluence go for junk foods which have serious health implications.
“This, of course, is someone who will try as much as possible to avoid all forms of physical activities and leisure like walking around, cycling, and jogging which would have helped in the prevention of obesity which leads to some metabolic syndrome,” he said.
Okosun said that people should stem the rising growth of health conditions subsumed under the metabolic syndrome among populations of African descent.
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He said that it was imperative for the individual on his part to pay more attention to dietary habits by avoiding food that increases his risk of becoming obese, while also engaging in more physical activities.
Okosun said that he would award two scholarships at the Postgraduate level for graduates of Obong University, wishing to study Public Health at Georgia State University. NAN)
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