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Published on September 13, 2007

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Speaking at a recent seminar organised by the Health Systems Research Agency, Ammar, the acting president of the Thailand Development Research Institute, warned that people who do routine work in offices are among those most vulnerable to diabetes. Ammar himself is a diabetic.

He said many office-bound persons lacked sufficient physical movement and their diet was usually inappropriate to prevent the onset of diabetes.

In other words, he advised those who are office-bound to find time for physical exercise and to eat properly as obesity is a significant cause of diabetes, not to mention other risk factors such as stress or heredity.

According to Prof Dr Chanika Tuchinda, an adviser at Siriraj Hospital's Faculty of Medicine, the number of diabetics in Thailand has risen steadily in recent years, with more and more younger persons found to have the disease.

Recently, a 12-year-old was diagnosed with the ailment.

Dr Viroj Jiamjarasrangsi of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine said chronic ailments were now common among Thais aged 60 or older. No less than 80 per cent of people in this age group suffer from at least one chronic disease.

Assoc Professor Supatra Suparb of Chulalongkorn University said the government needed to step up campaigns to inform citizens of the dangers of diabetes. She's especially concerned about kids with excessive sugar intake, as their consumption of sweets is dangerously high. Some consume as many as 10-20 toffees a day.

Generally speaking, a toffee has a sugar content equivalent to one spoonful. Yet more and more sweets have found their way into offices, especially in the wake of no-smoking campaigns.

Taking up Ammar's suggestions for office workers, entrepreneurs would be wise to consider investing in services that will promote a healthy office lifestyle.

First, a fitness centre is a must for all offices. Second, specially trained dieticians should be commissioned to design low-fat, low-cholesterol and low-sugar menus for the office cafeteria. And you may count on Ammar as your honorary adviser.