The global diabetes epidemic is on a “relentlessly upward trajectory”. Right now in 2011, the number of people with diabetes has reached 366 million.
The growing trend of obesity among adults and children is generally regarded as a major driver for the diabetes epidemic, as is a sedentary lifestyle. Over the past two decades, the rates of obesity have tripled in some countries, especially those that have been moving more and more towards physical activity and overconsumption of cheap, energy-dense foods.
According to the Institute of Science in Society:
“Fittingly, [the World Health Organization] emphasizes the importance of healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. In addition, governments should devote much more effort into educating and empowering people to make these ‘lifestyle’ changes, by ensuring that healthy foods are widely available and affordable”.