Wear blue, dance, or hula-hoop on World Diabetes Day

(Updated 1:08 p.m.) - Being a couch potato certainly has its consequences, one of which may be Type 2 diabetes, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

 

Organizing a physical activity is one way to observe World Diabetes Day on November 14, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) said. "Walk, cycle, hula-hoop or dance. Get people moving in your family or community," said an article on the IDF website. 

 

Exercise has shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes, which is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity. 

 

The IDF also encouraged everyone to wear blue throughout November to raise awareness about diabetes, which affects more than 346 million people worldwide, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. 

 

6 million Pinoys diabetic

 

Around seven percent or six million Filipinos are diabetic, the Philippine Information Agency reported.  Among the famous diabetic Pinoys are singer Gary Valenciano, and GMA News anchors Mike Enriquez and Arnold Clavio.  Valenciano has 

revealed he has had type 1 diabetes since he was 14 years old and he has to take insulin injections for life. Child actress Mona Louise Rey of the GMA teleserye "Aso ni San Roque" also 

has juvenile diabetes, and sometimes injects insulin shots herself.  The website All About Diabetes.net has identified other Filipino celebrities and politicians with diabetes: Nadine Samonte, Jaya, Alma Moreno, Marissa Sanchez, Sammy Lagmay, former senator and Health Secretary Juan Flavier, and former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Diabetes is more prevalent in the Philippines in urban areas more than rural ones, mainly due to lifestyle differences. Stress is one risk factor for diabetes, for instance, as discussed by doctors from the Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism at a recent forum.   

WHO has projected that cases will reach 7.8 million by 2030, which will put the Philippines in the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide. 

 

World Diabetes Day is held to raise global awareness of diabetes—its escalating rates around the world and ways to prevent the illness in most cases. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, the Day is celebrated on November 14 to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.

 

Type 1 and 2

 

Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset) is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin, which regulates blood sugar, according to WHO. 

 

"The cause of type 1 diabetes is not known and it is not preventable with current knowledge," WHO said, adding that symptoms include excessive excretion of urine (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes, and fatigue.

 

On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is preventable. "Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in children," WHO said. 

 

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be similar to those of type 1 diabetes, but are often less marked. "As a result, the disease may be diagnosed several years after onset, once complications have already arisen," WHO said.

 

According to WHO, a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. WHO explained that type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset) results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. 

 

"Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world, and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity," WHO said on its website. 

 

“Drink plenty of water and eat more fruits. Avoid food with high fat, high sugar, and high salt content. Reduce intake of desserts and fast foods. Stop smoking and avoid intoxicating drinks. Enjoy your life by balancing work, leisure, and family activities,” Dr. Francis Pizarro of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Diabetes Clinic advised in the PIA report.

 

As diabetes is also a hereditary disease, Pizarro advised close relatives of a diagnosed diabetic to have their blood sugar screened as a preventive measure. 

 

WHO also noted that early diagnosis can be done through blood testing. –Carmela G. Lapeña/Mac Macapendeg/KG, GMA News