D Dealing with iabetes

Dr. Ellen Andrews Building Community

Mentioning diabetes creates an instant community it seems. Anyone within earshot has diabetes, has a relative with it, or is afraid of getting it. Like walking your dog, or pushing your baby in a stroller, mentioning diabetes invites conversation and creates a bond.

On the interstate recently there was a car whose license plate read "low carbs." Seeing that stirred my curiosity about whether the owner was diabetic or just on Atkins. If we could have talked, we would have been trading stories in no time.

Do you sense that there are more diabetics than ever? You are right.

The prevalence has tripled in the last 30 years. Current estimates are that one child in three born in the US as of 2000 will go on to develop Type 2 diabetes in his lifetime. Most diabetes is Type 2, about 90%. And though weíre seeing younger people develop diabetes sooner because of their sedentary lifestyle and eating habits, the major ages affected are still the middle-aged and older folks.

Over 60, one of five has Type 2 diabetes. Even higher numbers prevail in Hispanic and African-American communities, up to one in three. Older folks have less lean body mass, so a higher proportion of fat to muscle. Other illnesses and medications complicate their situations. Their physical and mental limitations and even their transportation issues create challenges. Keeping appointments and reading labels, affording their meds, using their glucometersÕ.almost every aspect of caring for diabetes gets more complicated as age advances.

But guess what? Even over 60 diabetes can be postponed and possibly prevented. A large study demonstrated that almost three fourths of people who changed their lifestyle to be more active, and lost 5-7% of their weight did that. These folks were already pre-diabetic. In fact, changing their lifestyle and diet worked better to prevent diabetes than did medication. The exercise these people did was not extreme, and only involved 30 minutes a day. And the weight loss was only modest.

There are more diabetics around and there are more heavy people, too. Since 80% of Type 2 diabetics are overweight, clearly obesity relates to diabetes. Is it complacency or despair that makes people keep gaining weight? It's not safe to be heavy just because everyone else is. Being fat is not normal, not healthy even if it is getting to be routine.

We're glad for the companionship of the Diabetes Support Group, and the availability of information about diabetes. Still, it would be better not to have diabetes. Build yourself a community based on exercising together and eating healthy. If you do'ít have diabetes yet, you don't have to get it. Spread the word. But if you have diabetes, please join us at the diabetes support group April 25, 4 pm at the Moss Library in Hayesville.0

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