About 25 percent of the Kathmandu Valley people above 20 years of age are suffering from diabetes, a study revealed here on Sunday.

Unhealthy eating habit and lack of exercise have caused the soaring of diabetes among the youths, the research conducted by the Nepal Diabetes Association (NDA) said.

According to the study, women in the valley usually put on an average weight of 16 kg during pregnancy. And it is very difficult to shed that surplus weight, the study said.

Stressing the need to generate awareness on diabetes, Dhruba Lal Singh, the NDA president, warned the country will otherwise face an epidemic of sorts.

"The patients must take precautions and consult doctors to save themselves from accidents that result due to diabetes," Singh said.

The World Diabetes Day will be marked on Monday with the theme "Diabetes and Foot Care."

Source: Xinhua