Experts warn of sugar health threat as diabetes rises 25% among under-40s

Taipei, Nov. 5 (CNA) Experts on Wednesday urged stronger government action to curb sugar intake, as the rate of diabetes among Taiwanese under 40 rose by 25 percent between 2016 and 2020, with poor diet identified as a major contributing factor.

According to the 2024 annual report released that day by the Taiwanese Association of Diabetes Educators (TADE), Taiwan now has more than 2.56 million diabetes patients, facing the twin challenges of an aging population and a growing number of early-onset cases.

Over 20 percent of patients are diagnosed before age 50, while cases among those under 40 have increased by about 25 percent, Hsu Chih-cheng (許志成), executive director of the National Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, said at a press conference held by TADE in Taipei.

Hsu noted that diabetes is no longer limited to middle-aged and older adults.

Younger patients face a longer duration with the disease and earlier onset of related complications such as retinopathy, kidney disease, and cardiovascular conditions -- posing long-term burdens on individuals and the healthcare system, he said.

Unhealthy lifestyles -- including high-sugar diets and lack of exercise -- are driving the rise among young people, Hsu added.

According to a national health survey, more than 30 percent of adults drink sugary beverages daily, with an even higher proportion among teenagers.

Nutritionist and TADE supervisor Ouyang Chung-mei (歐陽鍾美) said at the press that sugar reduction has become a global public health priority.

Ouyang cited local studies showing that about 70 percent of bottled drinks sold in Taiwan are "high-sugar" products, with 41.6 percent exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 25 grams of sugar per serving.

Nearly all full-sugar bubble teas (98 percent) greatly exceed that limit, and even "low-sugar" or 30-percent-sweet versions do so in 28 percent of samples, she added.

Ouyang urged the government to learn from the experience of the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Singapore by introducing mandatory nutrition warning labels, expanding health education in schools and communities, and raising the sugar tax.

She also encouraged the food industry to support sugar-reduction policies by reformulating products, while helping to build a healthier food environment that prevents diabetes and other chronic diseases.