Both genetics and lifestyle are fueling a rise in diabetes, according to Dr Austin Okoth, Chief Medical Officer at RFH Healthcare.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Generation, Dr Okoth explained that while some people are born with genetic conditions affecting insulin production, the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes is largely linked to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and high alcohol consumption.
“So for diabetes, type one, number one is genetic. So, a gene mutation, or for one reason or another, the organ that makes insulin, which is called the pancreas, is not somebody is not born with it,” Dr Okoth said, explaining that type 1 diabetes often begins at birth or early childhood due to genetic mutations or organ issues.
For type 2 diabetes, lifestyle factors play a dominant role. Dr Okoth noted the decline in physical activity as a major concern.
“Number one, it’s physical activity that’s very important. And of late, we are less and less active physically. For example, I woke up early in the morning and I got an Uber to get here, and I’ll probably get another Uber to leave this place… I have to move fast to be able to accomplish all these things, and as a result, I’m less physically active,” he said.
Dietary habits and alcohol consumption further increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Dr Okoth highlighted the sugar content in modern diets and alcoholic drinks, which can overload the body and impair insulin function over time.
“We are consuming more alcohol right now than we used to, and that alcohol is loaded. It’s loaded with sugars, and alcohol consumption is a problem that we need to be able to sort, out otherwise we will end up more and more in these situations of these lifestyle diseases,” he said.
Dr Okoth’s insights underscore the dual nature of diabetes risk: while some cases are unavoidable due to genetics, the majority can be managed or prevented through healthier habits, including increased physical activity, balanced diets, and reduced sugar and alcohol intake.
