* Fifty percent of Sri Lankans diabetic by year 2020
Fri, Mar 19, 2010, 09:24 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 19, Colombo: Fifty percent of Sri Lanka's population will be diabetic by year 2020, a latest study by the non-communicable diseases unit of the Ministry of Health reveals.

The report points to the fact that currently 25% of the Sri Lankan population is diabetic. Fifteen percent of the school children are in the early stage of diabetes while 5-10% is in the second stage of diabetes.

The Minister of Health and Nutrition Nimal Siripala de Silva said to media that the cabinet had granted approval to a national policy on non-communicable diseases.

Non communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, high blood pressure, renal and orthopedic diseases are expected to increase by 50% within the next decade.

The change in food patterns, use of oil, sugar and salt in excessive amounts, artificial foods, drug and alcohol menaces and lack of exercise are identified as major causes for the situation.