U.S University Don proffers solution for rising incidences of diabetes, hypertension in Africa

An Associate Professor of  Public Health, Georgia  State University, United States of America, Solomon Okosun has advocated the need for concerted efforts on the part of the individual and increased collaboration among government at all levels in the control and management of the growing incidences of diabetes, hypertension and other cases of metabolic syndrome in the Nigerian population as well as other populations of African descent.

Okosun who made the advocacy at Obong University campus in Etim Ekpo L.G.A, while delivering a public lecture on the topic “The Epidemiology of Metabolic Syndrome in Populations of African descent” explained that Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions which manifest as increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes in the individual.

He traced the problem of the rising incidences of negative health conditions ranked under the class of metabolic syndrome to some unhealthy lifestyles among Nigerians and populations of African descent, especially those living in the urban areas.

The Guest Lecturer explained that apart from the unfortunate situation where people deliberately reduce physical activities and exercise from their daily routine, it has also become common for Nigerians and other Africans to use obesity as an index to measuring affluence, stressing that this mistaken notion has continued to act as a catalyst for the rising incidences of diabetes, hypertension and stroke plaguing Nigerians and other Africans.

According to him “It is very common to see Nigerians living in urban areas, in an attempt to show off their state of affluence go for junk foods which have serious health implications. This of course, is someone who will try as much as possible to avoid all forms of physical activities and leisure like walking around, cycling, and jogging which would have helped in the prevention of obesity which leads to some metabolic syndrome.

Dr Okusun said to stem the rising growth of health conditions subsumed under the metabolic syndrome among populations of African descent, it was imperative for the individual on his part, to pay more attention to dietary habits by avoiding food that increases his risk to becoming obese, while also engaging in more physical activities.

The Guest Lecturer also disclosed that part of the reason for his visit to Obong University was to initiate beneficial discussions with the Management of Obong University on areas of collaboration especially on research, staff and Students exchanges between Obong University and Georgia State University.
He announced that he will award two scholarships at the Postgraduate level for graduates of Obong University wishing to study Public health at Georgia state University.

Dr Solomon Okuson (Ms, Ph.D, FTOS, FACE) is an Associate Professor at Georgia State University, Atlanta Georgia, U.S.A, and is at present, the Director, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Georgia state University, Atlanta Georgia.
His research interest is in the Epidemiology of Metabolic Syndrome (obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemias) in Populations of African Origin.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Obong University, Professor Udoudo Ekanemesang in his welcome remarks said as an institution passionate about research and development, Obong University has always been open to collaboration that will promote research aimed at proffering solutions to pressing societal problems. He expressed the optimism that the proposed collaborations between Georgia State University and Obong University in the area of Public Health will mutually beneficial to both institutions and may provide better understanding of the genetic basis of metabolism syndrome in the African Population. 

Professor Ekanemesang noted that with regards to the research on metabolic syndrome prevalent in African populations, Obong University will make important contributions to the research by providing the data about the incidences and prevalence of the syndrome in Nigerian communities.

It would be recalled that Obong University had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Research, interchange of ideas, students and teachers exchange with Harding University, USA, as part of its efforts to further its strategic vision of exposing its students and workforce to emerging ideas and contemporary best practices at the international level.