Skipping breakfast may lead to diabetes: expert

By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram

Addressing a ‘Healthy Breakfast Campaign’ in connection with World Diabetes Month here, diabetologist Jothydev Kesavadev said healthy living begins with the breakfast preferably rich in fibre low in fat.

“That should prevent rise in sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol,” said Dr Kesavadev, who has been heading the Diabscreen Kerala project – which is engaged in research for more than a decade now.

Indu Thampy, film star and former Miss Kerala, launched an awareness programme focusing on this theme along with him yesterday.

He says skipping breakfast may cause obesity and diabetes.

“Eat at the right time every day at frequent intervals: both fasting and feasting may be deleterious to health,” he said. “Healthy eating begins with breakfast. Follow the same healthy pattern throughout the day”.

He attributes the rising epidemic of diabetes in Kerala to unhealthy food choices and lack of exercise. Even children and adolescents in large numbers are developing diabetes due to unhealthy and untimely food.

“Skipping breakfast before rushing to school, college or tuition classes is another reason for rising prevalence of overweight and diabetes,” he said.

A healthy breakfast can also prevent complications emerging in all types of diabetes mellitus.