Diabetes, referred to as the " silent killer," is on the increase in Zimbabwe and currently affects 6 percent of the country's population, becoming the fourth main cause of death, weekly newspaper The Sunday Mail reported.

However, the prevalence may be higher than currently acknowledged because evidence-based research indicates that 50-80 percent of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition.

It said a recent research has shown that many suffering from diabetes are diagnosed when they visit health institutions with signs and symptoms of end organ damage.

In 2003, more than 90,000 cases of diabetes were reported in Zimbabwe, an increase from the 3,000 cases reported in 1997.

Diabetes develops when one's body fails to produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin produced.

Without insulin, the body can not get energy from the food consumed.

Complications of diabetes may occur when a patient goes for treatment late. Complications include blindness and leg amputations.

Patients with poorly controlled diabetes have a high risk of developing eye diseases, among them retinopathy and cataracts.

Risk factors of diabetes include obesity, physical inactivity, diet, other chronic conditions and high blood pressure.

Dietary control of diabetes are eat diet composed of a variety of foods, maintain a reasonable weight, reduce saturated animal fat and cholesterol intake, stop smoking, reduce intake of refined sugars, eat food with adequate fibre, eat less salt and avoid alcohol.

Source: Xinhua