Doctors under the Uganda Diabetes Association (UDA) have disputed a recent story by the government media house New Vision stating that local staple foods, matooke and Kalo have led to spike in the rates of diabetes in Uganda.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the UDA executive members led by the President William Lumu noted that the story which appeared in the paper on Wednesday titled “staple foods causing diabetes” was misleading.
“We find the title and content of the article grossly erroneous and misleading. The assertion that staple foods cause diabetes is scientifically unsubstantiated. Singling out that matooke and kalo are linked to the recent spikes in diabetes rates in Uganda without any compelling scientific evidence to support that claim is not only misinforming but also alarmist and sensationalist” the statement reads.
The doctors further noted, “The article only quoted a qualitative study conducted by Dr. Juliet Kiguli and others, whose main objective was to collect information on how social norms related to diet influence an individual’s behaviour and subsequent risk of developing diabetes”.
“Available evidence shows a strong link between an increased intake of highly processed foods and carbohydrate-rich foods, such as chips, sugar, white rice, posho, sodas, and processed juices, and diabetes onset. These kinds of food have a high glycaemic index, meaning that, once consumed, they cause a sudden spike in an individual’s blood sugar levels”.
The statement further reads, “Most of the staple foods consumed in Uganda, such as matooke, sweet potatoes, yams, and cassava (if not in the form of flour), have a low or moderate glycaemic index, and therefore, do not cause a rapid increase in an individual’s blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is healthy and advisable to consume these foods in moderate quantities together with other nutrient-rich foods.
We truly appreciate the role of the media as an integral and equal partner in promoting healthy living and diabetes awareness in Uganda. Due to public interest, we implore the editorial team of the New Vision newspaper to review the article and publish a corrected version based on available scientific evidence and wide consultations with diabetes and nutrition experts in the country”.
