Muscat, Nov 15 - A total of 6,442 new cases of diabetes were registered in 2016, taking the total number to 78,000 by end of that year, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
A study published in the medical magazine brought out by the Sultan Qaboos University in 2015 predicted the number of diabetics to rise 174 per cent by 2050, reaching 350,000.
The study said 80 per cent of the cases can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly.
Globally, the number of diabetes patients has doubled since 2000, costing the countries $850 billion every year.
Experts said most of the patients suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which is related to obesity and lack of physical activity.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, one out of 11 adults is diagnosed with diabetes.
Around the world, 451 million patients are suffering from the disease and their number is expected to touch 693 million by 2045.
Zainab al Nassri
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