In addition to the risk factors behind the worldwide rise in diabetes prevalence, other factors, specific to the MENA region, are contributing to the epidemic. This unrelenting diabetes epidemic was an important driving factor that spurred the 2011 declaration of the United Nations general assembly, in which countries committed to work on national plans for preventing and controlling noncommunicable diseases (NCD). In addition to diabetes, prediabetes has been identified in a sizable proportion of the MENA population, out of whom a majority is expected to progress to diabetes over time. Genetic and epigenetic factors may also be contributing elements in a region that has a high rate of consanguinity, multiple gene loci that predispose to diabetes have been identified in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) population. Moreover, 44.7% of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the MENA region are unaware of their condition.ĭespite the heterogeneity within the MENA countries in terms of culture, income, population size, and sociopolitical stability, multiple common predisposing factors for diabetes have been implicated, including aging of the population, the change in lifestyle with reduction in physical activity, and increased consumption of calories and unhealthy food items, which have led to a rise in the prevalence of overweightness and obesity. To compare, over the same time period, the prevalence in Europe and North America/Caribbean regions is expected to increase by 15% and 33%, respectively. Specifically, the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) carried the highest prevalence of diabetes in 2019 at 12.2% and is expected to witness a 96% increase in diabetes prevalence between 20, second only to the African region with a 143% projected rise. Compared to high income countries (HIC), this increase disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries and adds a burden of excess morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that diabetes rose 80% in prevalence between 19, and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that in 2019, 9.3% of the global adult population age 20-79 years suffered from diabetes. ![]() ![]() The worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to grow with no sign of reversal. Broad strategies, coupled with targeted interventions at the regional, national, and community levels are needed to address and curb the spread of this public health crisis. Furthermore, efforts to control the rising prevalence of diabetes and its complications have been challenged and complicated by the political instability and armed conflict in some countries of the region and the recent coronavirus disease 2019. ![]() These risk factors have also led to an earlier onset of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents, negatively affecting the productive years of the youth and their quality of life. In addition to a genetic predisposition in its population, evidence suggests that obesity, physical inactivity, urbanization, and poor nutritional habits have contributed to the high prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in the region. In 2019, the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world at 12.2%, with its associated morbidity and mortality, was found in the Middle East and North Africa region. Type 2 diabetes continues to be a serious and highly prevalent public health problem worldwide.
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