Based on a report by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the number of people with type 1 diabetes in Indonesia reached 41,817 in 2022. This number places Indonesia at the top of the ASEAN ranking.
The majority of type 1 diabetes sufferers in Indonesia are aged between 20-59 years, totaling 26,781 people. Following this, there were 13,311 sufferers under 20 years old and 1,721 sufferers aged 60 and above.
The Philippines ranked second in ASEAN with 16,443 type 1 diabetes sufferers, predominantly aged 20-59.
Vietnam ranked third with 14,780 type 1 diabetes sufferers. This was followed by Thailand with 11,408 sufferers.
Meanwhile, the lowest number of type 1 diabetes sufferers in ASEAN was in Brunei Darussalam, with only 98 cases. Timor Leste followed with 199 cases.
(Read also: [link to article about childhood diabetes and soft drink consumption])
Here is a breakdown of the number of type 1 diabetes sufferers in ASEAN in 2022:
1. Indonesia: 41,817 people
2. Philippines: 16,443 people
3. Vietnam: 14,780 people
4. Thailand: 11,408 people
5. Malaysia: 7,082 people
6. Myanmar: 6,984 people
7. Singapore: 6,187 people
8. Cambodia: 2,267 people
9. Laos: 1,038 people
10. Timor Leste: 199 people
11. Brunei Darussalam: 98 people
Diabetes is a condition characterized by impaired insulin production. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and converts glucose into energy.
In type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce insulin at all. This is different from type 2 diabetes, where the body still produces insulin, but the amount is insufficient or it does not function properly.
According to the Ministry of Health, diabetes can be prevented in several ways. These include maintaining an ideal weight, adopting a healthy diet by avoiding high-fat and sugary foods, maintaining portion control, regular exercise, quitting smoking, drinking plenty of water, managing stress, and regularly checking blood sugar levels.