Bulletin No. 2, 2014

28   Chinese University Bulletin No. 2, 2014 Debunking Common Misconceptions about Diabetes Diabetes is generally associated with old age and being overweight. A research conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity at the Chinese University reveals that people of young age and normal body weight may also be at risk of having diabetes. Dr. Wing-yee So (1st left, front row), Honorary Clinical Associate Professor of the institute, called for members of the public to closely Vigilance Against Diabetes monitor their blood glucose level. ‘Regular checkup is also important to allow early diagnosis and timely treatment within the 5-Year golden period.’ The institute analysed 10,000 diabetes cases from 1995 to 2009. Results showed that 20% of cases are young-onset, with an average onset age of 30.  Among them, 30% have normal body weight. The number of diabetes patients in Hong Kong has experienced a sharp increase to one in 10 in the population. Dr. Andrea O.Y. Luk , Associate CUHK diabetes research team