Are You At Risk?
Think “it won’t happen to me”? Well, nearly 1 million people in Singapore will have diabetes by 2050 if we don’t do anything about it. In fact, our government officially declared war on diabetes with the revelation of over 400,000 people being diabetic back in 2016. Find out if you are at risk of diabetes with our simple quiz and what you can do to keep the chronic disease at bay!
| Pre-diabetes: What is it?
As its name suggests, it is the ‘stage’ before diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. Many people may unknowingly have pre-diabetes but here’s the good news: pre-diabetes can be reversed with a healthier lifestyle. |
Does anyone in your immediate family have diabetes?
Diabetes tends to run in families. While genes don’t determine whether you’ll get diabetes or not, they influence your susceptibility and increase your risk of having diabetes.
Do you have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure or hypertension is fairly common in Singapore. It refers to the condition when blood is pumped around the body with greater pressure than normal. Close to 1 in 4 Singapore residents aged 30 to 69 have high blood pressure and the risk of getting this increases with age. If you have high blood pressure, you are more susceptible to having diabetes.
Do you smoke or used to smoke?
Smoking increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as nicotine weakens insulin actions, which can lead to a rise in blood sugar levels. If one has diabetes and the habit of smoking, s/he is at higher risk of developing serious health complications.
Have you experienced unusual weight gain in the past year?
While there are many success stories of people adopting a healthier lifestyle and a well-toned body while working from home during this pandemic, there are also those on the other side of the spectrum. Have you been bingeing or lazing more than usual? If you have gained weight without changes to your diet and activity level, it may be cause for concern.
Do you eat red meat or processed meat more than 4 times a week?
Red meat provides high quality protein but too much of anything is often not a good thing. In the case of red meat and processed food, overconsumption can lead to serious health problems such as obesity, heart disease and even diabetes! Opt for healthier food such as Wunderfood that doesn’t contain nasty additives.
Do you eat fruits daily?
Not all fruits are made equal. Fresh or frozen fruits in your diet are healthier than processed canned fruits that contain higher levels of sugar. Also, while fruits provide vitamins, minerals and fibre, they contain sugar and should be eaten in moderation. The recommended amount is two servings daily, preferably at different meals.
Do you exercise daily for at least 30 minutes?
Exercise helps to manage pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes by keeping blood sugar levels stable and improving insulin sensitivity throughout the body. To reverse pre-diabetes or improve diabetes condition, regular exercise is key.
Diabetes: Are you at risk?
If you’ve answered mostly YES…
You are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. You can take steps to mitigate this risk, starting with regular health screenings. Under the National Health Screening Programme – Screen for Life (SFL) – Singapore citizens are eligible for subsided screening that costs $0 to $5! Early detection and changes to your lifestyle (i.e. quit smoking, exercise regularly, eat healthier, etc.) can help to delay or even reverse pre-diabetes.
Did you know that over S$1 billion is spent each year on managing diabetes in Singapore? While this chronic disease can be treated, it can put a dent in your hard-earned savings if you don’t have critical illness insurance. Start looking into more affordable protection plans such as the 3 Plus Critical Illness today! Learn more
If you’ve answered mostly NO…
Great! You are at a lower risk of developing diabetes. Continue to exercise regularly and watch your diet. Take note that there are still risks, especially if you have a family history of diabetes.
As we age, the risk of chronic illnesses also increases. Don’t be complacent even if you are young. This 20-something Singaporean spent $15,000 because of a chronic illness. Can you imagine the stress on her and her family? At times like this, having critical illness insurance such as the 3 Plus Critical Illness plan would be quite a relief.
Tiq’s 3 Plus Critical Illness provides coverage for the top 3 critical illnesses, namely cancer, heart attack or stroke and offers additional special coverage for Diabetic conditions. Learn more here
If you’ve answered an average mix of YES and NO…
Your risk of developing diabetes is moderate. Stay alert and go for regular health screening as diabetes is a silent killer that can advance painlessly until it’s too late. In fact, one in three people in Singapore is not aware of being diabetic. In addition to maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, it would also help to have affordable insurance to protect you financially in case the unexpected happens. From as low as S$0.24/day, Tiq’s 3 Plus Critical Illness plan covers the three high risk health issues with a sum insured of up to S$300,000.
Learn more about Tiq 3 Plus Critical Illness insurance in Singapore!
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Information is accurate as at 12 September 2023. This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No. 201331905K).
This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact us or visit the Life Insurance Association (LIA) or SDIC websites (www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).
You should seek advice from a financial adviser before deciding to purchase the policy. If you choose not to seek advice, you should consider if the policy is suitable for you.
As this product has no savings or investment feature, there is no cash value if the policy ends or if the policy is terminated prematurely.
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Tiq by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd.
A digital insurance channel that embraces changes to provide simple and convenient protection, Tiq’s mission is to make insurance transparent and accessible, inspiring you today to be prepared for life’s surprises and inevitabilities, while empowering you to “Live Unlimited” and take control of your tomorrow.
With a shared vision to change the paradigm of insurance and reshape customer experience, Etiqa created the strong foundation for Tiq. Because life never stops changing, Etiqa never stops progressing. A licensed life and general insurance company registered in the Republic of Singapore and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Etiqa is governed by the Insurance Act and has been providing insurance solutions since 1961. It is 69% owned by Maybank, Southeast Asia’s fourth largest banking group, with more than 22 million customers in 20 countries; and 31% owned by Ageas, an international insurance group with 33 million customers across 16 countries.
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