ABSTRACT
The American adult population with diabetes is estimated to be 12% while over a third of those aged 20 and above might have prediabetes.1 In China, there are 114 million people with diabetes and 493 million people with prediabetes.2 The diabetes epidemic is also on the rise in India. In 2013, 67 million people in India are confirmed to have diabetes with another 30 million having prediabetes.3 The situation in Saudi Arabia is very serious concerning this country’s looming diabetes disaster. One in four Saudis is very likely to suffer a heart attack, and diabetes is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease.4 The report also revealed that more than 60% of diabetics die of a heart attack. Diabetes also brings other complications such as gestational diabetes, diabetic foot ulcers and heart diseases. In the US alone, the total cost of diagnosed diabetes was about $245 billion in 2013, a substantial burden on society.5
