JAIPUR: Healthy lifestyle is the key to controlling diabetes, says former Pakistan cricket captain and all-rounder Wasim Akram.

“Diabetes can be managed by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, dietary control, proper medication and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels,” said Akram, who is also the Accu-Chek brand ambassador, a company associated with innovation in diabetes care worldwide.

Akram said so at the Accu-Chek Inspiration Series held recently. Akram, a diabetic, felicitated five children with diabetes who have made significant accomplishments in different fields like sports, academics, music and other areas despite their illness.

The Pakistani player was diagnosed with diabetes at the peak of his career, but that did not deter him from achieving his professional goals.

Akram shared his personal experience with diabetes and how leading a disciplined life ensured a consistently good performance on the cricket field. He said: “Recent studies have indicated that children in urban areas, especially in developing countries, are at a higher risk of developing diabetes when they grow up. This is largely due to changing lifestyle, physical inactivity, urban food habits and a genetic predisposition. There is therefore an urgent need to create awareness about diabetes on these young impressionable minds through events such as this.”