Lifestyle change needed to cut diabetes

| 07/04/2016 | 15 Comments

fat unfit get fit(CNS): Over 422 million people, more than 8.5% of the global population, are suffering from diabetes, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organisation. The global epidemic of what is largely a preventable lifestyle disease is the focus of this year’s World Health Day and the Cayman Islands is no stranger to the consequences of the disease. The local government says it is committed to helping with prevention but the premier, who is also the health minister, said personal responsibility and lifestyle change is critical to slowing down the march of the disease.

In Premier Alden McLaughlin’s World Health Day message, titled “Halt the Rise: Beat Diabetes”, he said, “Simple lifestyle changes have been shown to be effective in preventing or reducing the risk of diabetes or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. These include maintaining normal body weight, engaging in regular physical activity and eating a healthy and balanced diet. Mindful of this fact, we all have a personal responsibility to play a part in halting the rise of the diabetic epidemic.”

One in three adults across the globe are now considered overweight and more than one in 10 obese. Without intervention from governments to help prevent and treat the disease, which caused 1.5 million deaths in 2012, the WHO has pointed to the growing negative socio-economic impacts as well as the direct health implications and said change greatly depends on governments doing more.

McLaughlin said his ministry was making that change with on-the-ground, proactive and preventive measures by the Public Health Department, the Heath Services Authority, the Cayman Islands Diabetes Association and the Cayman Islands Diabetes Charitable Trust.

“Through educational classes, various ongoing onsite screenings, counselling and awareness sharing activities, help is offered to people to determine their level of risk for diabetes and in tackling the disease,” he said. “The Public Health Department will shortly have regular Public Service Announcements on our air waves across the Islands with a focus on preventable diseases, conditions and situations that can cause ill health.”

Encouraging everyone to practice healthy eating and active living as a means of preventing the onset of diabetes, the minister urged those already diagnosed to “stand strong” in their fight to manage the disease.

To coincide with World Health Day, the WHO has released its 2016 report on the prevalence of the disease and issues relating to the condition worldwide, which offers some startling revelation regarding the increase in the global burden.

See report here

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Category: Health, Medical Health

Comments (15)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Family sized pizzas for $10…a fresh salad costs about the same for a little bowl at lunch. Something is wrong here.

  2. Anonymous says:

    There should be no import duty on fruit and vegetables and certain other healthy foods.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Greed is the cause of it

  4. Anonymous says:

    A lot of folks seem to be referred to undergo bariatric surgery, getting gastric bands or gastric bypass, without proper psychological profiling or counselling. Patients have to change their diets for awhile, but often don’t adapt the necessary exercise or nutritional routines. Within a few years they are back to their original girth and even more unhealthy.
    It seems doctors are pushing this as an easy-fix and a quick cash-cow, without considering the health of the patient down the line.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I walk several mornings per week and have to take a stick to ward off the dogs. Please enforce the laws to force dog owners to keep their dogs secured in their yards instead of roaming the streets. Very difficult to walk.

  6. Anonymous says:

    starting with the MLA’s, our public servants who, in general are obese, and for whom the country foots the insurance bill, I think telling us all that the resources are out there falls on deaf ears. If change is good enough for all of us, it should be good enough for our public servants

  7. Anonymous says:

    Impose mandatory bike racks at establishments similar to handicapped parking.

    Publish road rules for bicycle riders and distribute in the physical newspaper and have a cns article with a link to the government link.

    Increased insurance premiums for overweight individuals.

    Consider it child abuse and child neglect if children are overweight. All guardians and parents equally legally liable.

    Similar to the swimming initiative for all children, have a weekly or monthly government promoted bike ride for children. Or similar to the track and field training. Train children on how to ride a bike long distances.have group meet ups to ride around the island.

    It all starts as a child and you take the way of life forward as an adult.

    Less talk and more action.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Ok so Alden is in good shape. He is one of the few. Majority of the MLAs need to look at losing weight and engaging in a healthy lifestyle.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Encourage kids and adults to ride a bicycle to school or work. Encourage walking and more outdoor activities.

    Teach children in school healthy eating habits and making better choices. Most children don’t know because the parents don’t know.

    Get the information out from all avenues. Suggest to restaurants to provide information on menu items that are the most heart healthy/diabetes acceptable etc.

    Suggest to the churches to preach healthy living. Isn’t there something in the bible about the body being a temple? It’s not just morality here. But overall taking care of yourself.

  10. Anonymous says:

    One of the reasons for epidemic of diabetes (and Alzheimer) is low/non fat diet promoted for years. As it turned out you body needs healthy fats, and new, healthy food pyramid calls for 75% of healthy fats in your daily diet and that includes saturated fats. New science destroys the saturated fat myth. Fat has been blamed for sugar’s evil deeds. Cholesterol Is not only beneficial for your body—It’s absolutely mandatory. Still in doubt? You don’t have to take my word for it. Chris Masterjohn (USA) is an UP TO DATE expert on fats, check his “The Daily lipid” blog and use it as a guidance. Also, ask your doctor to have PLAC test done (under $100 in the USA) to check your risk for a SUDDEN cardio-vascular event. I am sure he/she never hear of it, that is because they are not up to date with current medical information/science.

  11. Anonymous says:

    How about Government stop picking up the tab for people who choose to be unhealthy? We might see some pretty rapid lifestyle changes!
    I’d rather see my tax money go to help people with genuine health needs….

  12. Bertie B says:

    HEY , my hips are size 28 , where you get my picture from huh ? my wife ?

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