|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A medical doctor has urged residents of Gombe State to reduce their consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods, engage in regular physical exercise and adopt healthier eating habits to protect themselves against lifestyle-related diseases.
The advice highlights growing concerns about the effects of unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and excessive consumption of refined foods on public health in Nigeria.
The doctor stressed that maintaining good health requires consistent lifestyle choices, including controlling food portions, eating balanced meals and incorporating physical activity into everyday routines.
The recommendation comes as health professionals and public health organisations intensify efforts to educate Nigerians about preventing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions.
For many households in northern Nigeria, carbohydrate-rich foods form an important part of everyday meals. Foods such as rice, tuwo, millet, maize, yam and other grain-based products are widely consumed. However, health professionals increasingly emphasise the importance of moderation, food quality and balanced nutrition rather than relying heavily on a single food group.
The message to Gombe residents is that preventing diet-related health problems does not necessarily require abandoning traditional meals. Instead, people should pay attention to how much they eat, how foods are prepared and whether their diets provide the nutrients their bodies need.
The recommendation is particularly relevant as Nigeria joins other countries in marking World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2026. The annual observance draws attention to diabetes prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and the importance of making healthcare accessible to people living with the condition.
Diabetes has become a major public health concern globally. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 830 million people were living with diabetes in 2022, compared with 200 million in 1990. The organisation identifies unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and excess body weight among the factors that can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. World Health Organization
For residents of Gombe, the doctor’s advice highlights the importance of making healthier decisions before preventable health conditions become more difficult and expensive to manage.
The emphasis on reducing carbohydrate consumption should, however, be understood as a recommendation to control portions and improve food choices rather than completely eliminate carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates remain an important source of energy for the human body. They are found in common Nigerian foods, including rice, maize, millet, beans, yam, potatoes and other grains.
The World Health Organization recommends obtaining carbohydrates primarily from whole grains, vegetables, fruits and pulses. It also advises limiting foods containing excessive free sugars and choosing diets that provide adequate fibre.
This distinction is important because not all carbohydrate-containing foods have the same nutritional value. Whole grains and fibre-rich foods provide nutrients that are beneficial to overall health, while heavily refined products and sugary drinks can contribute to excessive calorie consumption.
Residents can therefore make practical changes by reducing oversized portions of refined foods, eating more vegetables and choosing less processed alternatives where available. World Health Organization+1
Another important part of the doctor’s recommendation is regular exercise.
Physical inactivity has become a concern in many communities as changing lifestyles, transportation habits and working arrangements reduce the amount of movement people undertake daily.
People who spend long periods sitting at work, operating businesses or using electronic devices may find it difficult to maintain sufficient physical activity.
Regular exercise can help address this problem by improving cardiovascular health, supporting weight management and helping the body regulate blood glucose.
Physical activity does not necessarily require expensive gym memberships or specialised equipment. Walking, cycling, swimming, dancing and participating in recreational sports can all contribute to a more active lifestyle.
The WHO recommends that adults undertake at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. This can include brisk walking for approximately 30 minutes on five days of the week.
Adults can also undertake more vigorous activities depending on their fitness levels and health circumstances. Muscle-strengthening exercises are recommended on at least two days each week. World Health Organization+1
For people who have not exercised regularly, beginning with shorter periods of walking and gradually increasing activity may be a more sustainable approach.
Consistency is more important than attempting strenuous exercise for a short period and abandoning the routine afterwards.
Residents should also consider their individual health conditions before beginning demanding exercise programmes. People with existing medical conditions or mobility difficulties may benefit from speaking with healthcare professionals about suitable activities.
Healthy Eating Requires More Than Reducing Carbohydrates
Although carbohydrate reduction is an important part of the reported advice, maintaining a balanced diet requires attention to other food groups.
A healthy eating pattern should include vegetables, fruits, protein sources, healthy fats and appropriate quantities of carbohydrates.
Nigerian households can make healthier choices without necessarily replacing their traditional meals with expensive imported foods.
For example, meals containing rice, beans, yam or other staples can be balanced with vegetables, fish, eggs or other available protein sources.
Beans are particularly useful because they provide both plant-based protein and dietary fibre. Vegetables also contribute important vitamins, minerals and fibre that support normal body functions.
Another consideration is the consumption of sugary beverages. Soft drinks, sweetened juices and other drinks containing large amounts of added sugar can increase daily calorie intake without providing the same nutritional benefits as whole foods.
Reducing these drinks and choosing water more frequently can support healthier eating habits.
The WHO recommends limiting free sugars to less than 10 per cent of total daily energy intake, with further benefits possible when consumption is reduced to 5 per cent or less. World Health Organization+1
Food preparation methods also matter. Regularly consuming meals containing excessive salt, unhealthy fats and added sugars can undermine efforts to maintain a healthy diet.
Families can gradually improve their eating habits by adjusting portion sizes, preparing meals with less added salt and sugar, and including more vegetables and minimally processed foods.
Why Diabetes Prevention Should Be a Priority in Gombe
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body regulates blood glucose. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, occurs when the body does not use insulin effectively or cannot produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Some people develop the condition without immediately recognising the symptoms.
Possible warning signs include increased thirst, frequent urination, persistent hunger, unexplained weight loss, tiredness and wounds that take longer than expected to heal.
However, some people may have diabetes without noticeable symptoms, making routine screening important.
When blood glucose remains poorly controlled over time, diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves. Complications may affect the eyes, kidneys, heart and other parts of the body.
The WHO warns that diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes and lower-limb amputations. World Health Organization
These complications can place considerable financial and emotional pressure on affected individuals and their families.
For residents of Gombe, improved awareness of diabetes risk factors could encourage more people to seek medical advice before complications develop.
People with a family history of diabetes, those living with excess body weight and individuals who are physically inactive may have additional reasons to discuss screening with healthcare professionals.
However, diabetes is not exclusively a condition affecting people who are overweight. Individuals should not assume they are free from the disease simply because they appear physically fit.
Routine medical examinations remain important for identifying potential health problems.
Importance of Regular Health Checks
Preventive healthcare is another important part of reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
Many people only visit hospitals when they begin experiencing severe symptoms. This approach can delay the identification of conditions that may have been detected earlier through routine examinations.
Blood glucose testing helps healthcare professionals identify diabetes and other abnormalities in blood sugar regulation.
Depending on an individual’s circumstances, a doctor may recommend fasting blood glucose testing or a glycated haemoglobin test, commonly called HbA1c, which provides information about average blood sugar levels over approximately three months.
Blood pressure and cholesterol checks are also important because diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases share several risk factors.
Residents who receive a diabetes diagnosis should follow professional medical advice rather than attempting to manage the condition through dietary changes alone.
Some people require prescribed medication or insulin alongside lifestyle adjustments. Stopping treatment without consulting a healthcare professional can lead to dangerous increases in blood glucose.
The Gombe State Ministry of Health provides information about healthcare services and public health initiatives across the state’s 11 local government areas through its official platform. Residents can also seek guidance at government-owned primary healthcare centres and general hospitals. Gombe State Ministry of Health
Gombe’s Wider Efforts to Promote Preventive Healthcare
The latest dietary and exercise advice comes against the background of broader health promotion activities in Gombe State.
On October 29, 2026, the Gombe State Government commemorated National Health Promotion Day through an awareness roadshow organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
The programme focused on encouraging residents to adopt healthier lifestyles and understand the importance of disease prevention.
During the exercise, State Health Educator Sallau Mohammed Malami discussed healthy behaviour as a means of preventing and controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases.
He emphasised that good health begins with everyday decisions made at home and within communities, rather than depending exclusively on hospital treatment.
The programme also involved community sensitisation, health education materials and activities designed to bring preventive healthcare information closer to residents.
Stakeholders highlighted the importance of public participation in improving health outcomes and reducing the financial burden associated with preventable illnesses. Abc News Nigeria+1
These initiatives demonstrate why health education should remain an important part of healthcare delivery.
Medical facilities alone cannot prevent every lifestyle-related disease. Residents must also understand the factors that influence their health and have access to reliable information that helps them make informed decisions.
Community leaders, healthcare workers, schools, families and government agencies all have roles to play in encouraging healthier behaviour.
For Gombe residents, adopting the doctor’s recommendations can begin with relatively simple changes, including eating more balanced meals, controlling food portions, walking regularly and seeking medical advice when necessary.
The broader message is that preventing diabetes and other lifestyle-related conditions requires sustained attention to nutrition, physical activity and routine medical care.
As Nigeria marks World Diabetes Day 2026, the call for healthier eating and regular exercise serves as a reminder that everyday decisions can have lasting consequences for individual and community health.
