Endocrinology & Metabolic Syndrome
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-1017
ISSN: 2161-1017
Syed M Shahid
Eastern Institute of Technology, New Zealand
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Endocrinol Metab Syndr
Sustainable development requires the enhancement of health and wellbeing within communities, as articulated by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (SDG-3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing across all demographics. The vitality of robust economies is intrinsically linked to the health of populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the necessity of prioritizing health within the global sustainable development framework, revealing an urgent imperative to strengthen health systems and their capacity to respond to future health crises. Preceding the pandemic, extensive research indicated significant advancements in population health, characterized by increased life expectancy and decreased morbidity and mortality rates. However, the rise of chronic diseases (CDs), in general, and diabetes mellitus, in particular has posed a formidable challenge, leading to a Syndemic where individuals recovering from COVID-19 exhibit heightened susceptibility to long-term conditions. World Health Organisation reports 422 million cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 1.5 million deaths yearly. Diabetes mellitus and its complications contribute to over 90% of all cases, is becoming increasingly common worldwide. It is estimated that the number of individuals with diabetes mellitus will rise from 366 million in 2011 to 552 million by 2030 unless prompt intervention occurs. Addressing these economic and health challenges necessitates a focus on modifiable metabolic risk factors through lifestyle interventions, including informed dietary choices, regular physical activity, smoking cessation, and moderated alcohol consumption. In partnership with New Zealand's Ministry of Health, Auckland Council, and the Asian Network Inc., a series of health workshops were implemented to enhance awareness of effective dietary strategies, such as intermittent fasting, one-meal-a-day, ketogenic, and Mediterranean diets. These workshops received positive feedback from Auckland's diverse communities and demonstrated that sustained education and practical dietary guidance can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes which should lead to prevent the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ongoing initiatives will continue to assess the long term efficacy of these interventions in enhancing community health and their potential influence on national health policy development. These community engagement workshops will have the potential to provide valuable insights to multiethnic communities in New Zealand to best prevent the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus post-COVID-19.
Dr. Syed M. Shahid, PhD in Medical Biochemistry, is a Senior Postgraduate Lecturer and Research Supervisor at Eastern Institute of Technology, Auckland. His extensive experience includes roles at the University of Auckland and Aspire 2 International, Auckland Campus. With over 15 years at KIBGE, University of Karachi, he has published 55+ papers and presented at 68+ international conferences. Dr. Shahid has supervised 5 PhD and 50+ Masterâ??s students and serves on editorial boards and as an external reviewer.