What is Diabetes and where do we stand?

What is Diabetes and where do we stand?

As it has been identified in my previous blog that diabetes is a rapidly increasing epidemic among societies around the world.  It is in my opinion a pivotal point to begin understanding this topic by defining Diabetes.

Diabetes has been described as “a condition in which the body does not make enough insulin or the body cells cannot use insulin properly”. 

Diabetes New Zealand states that presently there is no cure for this condition however it can be controlled and a person with Diabetes can still live a full and active life.

There are three types of diabetes, namely:

Type 1

The bodies of people with Type 1 Diabetes do not make any insulin (or very little).  Their pancreas’ has stopped making insulin, and their bodies are unable to use glucose for energy.  They therefore require insulin by injection, along with some dietary changes in order to control their condition.

Type 2

In people who have type 2 diabetes, the production of insulin is slow or their bodies may be resistant to insulin. “Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in that the pancreas continues to get more sluggish over time” and people with this type may become dependent on insulin. 

It is believed that this type of diabetes is able to be treated and controlled by weight loss, physical activities and at times, tablets.  The statistics of this type of diabetes is the one that is increasing at an alarming rate and affecting majority of the population.

and

Gestational Diabetes (Diabetes of pregnancy)

Gestational diabetes is often formed in pregnant women who have high levels of glucose in their blood.
 

Diabetes Statistics

 

As per the inserted illustration, it has been identified that 285 million people are affected by diabetes world-wide and that it is the 5^th leading cause of death.  The statistics of Diabetes in New Zealand are as alarming, as Diabetes New Zealand states that more than 208,000 New Zealanders currently have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes with 50 new cases being diagnosed each day. 

Type 2 diabetes is known to be the type that is most common and is increasing at a rapid rate, this type is however the type that can be controlled by a healthy diet and exercise.  Type 2 diabetes is usually found in adults however the numbers are increasing in teenagers and children.

Diabetes statistics are significant among Pacific people and of the diabetes cases, 90% are Type 2.

My question then, is why are people not aware of these statistics and educated as to ways in which they are able to prevent the onset of this condition. 

The World Health Organisation suggests that the annual death toll of the condition already exceeds that of AIDS and is but only increasing.  They have put in place a campaign to educate people on healthy food choices. 

I believe, in order to target this condition and decrease the number of lives affected it would be beneficial to highlight the current statistics to society and the severe implications this condition might have.  Together with this information, informing people as to how they are able to prevent the condition through healthy lifestyles. 

It is my concern that if people do not acknowledge or act on preventing the onset of this condition it will affect more adult’s lives as well as the lives of the younger generation.  This condition has been described as being as serious as Cancer, a disease people are generally very familiar with, so why aren’t people aware of the significance of Diabetes?

Diabetes - A Modern Age Epidemic

Diabetes – A Modern Age Epidemic

 
I have chosen to research the topic of Diabetes as this is a disease that affects my family personally and one that is been described as a growing epidemic in New Zealand.

Carvill (2013) states that “Diabetes is internationally regarded as the most rapidly growing chronic disease of our time and health statistics show the number of Kiwis with diabetes has almost doubled in the past 10 years”.

It has been suggested that the diabetes epidemic can and will claim many kiwi’s lives and can potentially cripple the New Zealand health sector, if action is not taken to gain control over or prevent the disease.

By this information, I too, believe that this disease or epidemic is and should be of great concern to New Zealander’s and the New Zealand government as it affects both the lives of Kiwis and the operations and funding of the health sector, therefore should alarm policymakers and health funders (Coppell, 2013).

Through doing research on this topic, I would like to gain more understanding about the topic and gain insight as to how we as a nation can contribute towards preventing the disease within our population. 

I would like to investigate the causes of Diabetes and determine whether we are able to make a difference to society and the future statistics by educating, not only the general public, but directly the families, whanau and children we teach within early childhood.