Diabetes Week – Be Aware Not Alarmed
The healthy lifestyle message of regular exercise and healthy food intake is well known but often tends to get lost in the flood of demands on time and fast food opportunities. However, the message from research is frightening – unless we get these things under control, we are much higher risk of developing ‘lifestyle’ diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.
More and more people are developing diabetes every day. It is a serious disease that can shorten your life by eight or more years and can have miserable complications such as stroke, blindness, amputation of the legs and kidney failure if left unchecked.
The good news is that most of this can be prevented.
Hunter New England Health is raising awareness of these issues during Diabetes Week (8-14 July) with many of their Community Health Centres and specialist Diabetes Centres holding information stalls where people can find out more.
On Tuesday 10 July, Moree Community Health Dietitians Joy Schultz and Pollyemma Antees will be hosting a Diabetes Week Stall at Balo Square, Moree between
10 -2pm providing free waistline checks, diabetes education and healthy shopping tours of Coles, Moree.
The messages for prevention of Type 2 Diabetes (commonly lifestyle induced), as well as the management of both Type I (genetic) and Type 2 Diabetes are the same – exercise, healthy diet and regular heath checks.
If you are over the age of 45, or have had an abnormal sugar before that age (especially in pregnancy), or have a waist circumference greater than 80 cms (women) or 94 cms (men), or have a family history of diabetes, you are at personal risk of diabetes.
If you have more than one of these risk factors, the message is clear ‘See your doctor for a simple blood test to exclude diabetes’.
Hunter New England Health Community Dietitian for Moree Community Health Pollyemma Antees, said the best way to prevent becoming one of the 275 people who are diagnosed with diabetes each day, is to better balance the energy we take in (kilojoules from food) and the energy we give out (exercise).
Ms Antees said there are many foods that people consume regularly without a thought for the amount of Kilojoules and fat they contain.
“Most of the foods we buy from the supermarket include labels that tell you how much Kilojoules and fat they have. What they don’t say is how long it takes to walk off those kilojoules.
“For example, a 375 ml coke is about 645kj and you would have to walk the dog for about 20 minutes to walk that off! And that’s just the drink – what about the chips, hamburger and ice cream you had as well?
“It may sound daunting - lose weight and do more exercise - but you only have to do it one step at a time. Just five to seven per cent weight loss can help - that’s just four kg, if you weigh 80 kg,” said Mr Antees.
“Doing 150 minutes brisk walking a week (30 minutes a day for five days) will help with the weight loss AND protect against diabetes. Resistance training such as weights also helps.
“Most gyms have special programs for people over 55 or who may have health problems. Look for the Heart Foundation’s Heartmoves programs which are available in fitness and health centres, as well as in community venues such as Registered Clubs, YMCA, PCYC, and community halls,” said Ms Antees.
Ms Antees said it’s not too late if you already have diabetes. She said the same measures will improve your blood sugar levels and your circulation, which are the keys to avoiding complications.
“When having a regular check-up with your doctor, people with diabetes can also ask about the special Medicare funding for feet checks, dental treatment and diabetes education,” Ms Antees said.
“So be aware but not alarmed. Know your risk and do something about it now.”
Contact: Nicole Fuller
Phone: (02) 6767 7136