Let's take control of diabetes, now [1]
Friday, November 12, 2010 - 16:23. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
DR CHEN KEN, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in the South Pacific and Director of Pacific Technical Support, is urging people to reduce risk factors that could lead to diabetes in recognition of World Diabetes Day on Sunday, November 14.
2010 marks the second year of the five-year focus on "Diabetes education and prevention", the theme selected by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization for World Diabetes Day 2009-2013. The campaign slogan for 2010 is: "Let's take control of diabetes. Now."
Type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease and can lead to loss of life and livelihood. Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include lack of physical inactivity and being overweight. In the Pacific these risk factors are very high.
Dr Chen Ken said: "Diabetes poses a severe risk for the Pacific island countries. Overweight and sedentary behaviors are too high in the Pacific island countries and these can lead to many diseases such as diabetes. On World Diabetes Day we want everyone to look at reducing weight and getting enough physical activity to help prevent this dangerous disease."
To help prevent diabetes, people should aim for a healthy body mass index (BMI) and do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity every day.
Diabetes rates in the Pacific islands are some of the highest in the world. The prevalence of diabetes among 25-64 age group was 47.3% in American Samoa, 43.6% in Tokelau, 32.1% in Federated States of Micronesia, 28.3% in Marshall Islands, 28.1% in Kiribati, 22.7% in Nauru and 22.6% in Fiji.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that arises when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that enables cells to take in glucose from the blood and use it for energy. Failure of insulin production, insulin action or both leads to raised glucose levels in the blood (hyperglycaemia). This is associated with long-term damage to the body and the failure of various organs and tissues.
For people with diabetes, the focus is on improved knowledge of diabetes in order to better understand the condition and prevent complications. For governments and policy-makers, the focus is on understanding the cost-effective implications of diabetes prevention strategies and promoting diabetes education as a core component of diabetes management and treatment.
Some of the warning signs of diabetes are:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Lack of interest and concentration
- Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as the flu)
- A tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections
- Slow-healing wounds
There are many risk factors for type 2 diabetes. They include:
- Obesity and overweight
- Lack of physical activity
- Previously identified glucose intolerance
- Unhealthy diet
- Increased age
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- A family history of diabetes
- A history of gestational diabetes
WHO, 12/11/10.