By Annette Campbell
This April, feel free to chomp, munch, chew and enjoy any of your favourite meals, all for a great cause — the fifth annual ‘Great Australian Bite’, to raise money and awareness for diabetes.
According to Diabetes Australia, more than three million Australians have diabetes or pre-diabetes. While family history does play a big role, Dr. Neville Howard, President Diabetes Australia-NSW, adds that: “Part of the problem we have to deal with is the fact that children learn bad habits about poor food choices and lack of activity from their parents.”
As with many medical conditions, the more we know about the condition, the better armed we’ll be to fight it.
So here are some fascinating facts you might not have known:
Diabetes is the sixth highest cause of death by disease in Australia.
People with diabetes are almost three times more likely to have high blood pressure, obesity or elevated blood fats, for example, cholesterol or triglycerides. They are two to three times more likely to have cardiovascular disease, for example, heart disease and stroke.
Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in developed nations and is not caused by lifestyle factors.
Type 2 diabetes represents 85 to 90 percent of all cases of diabetes. Lifestyle factors such as unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity can contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes. It is usually found in adults over the age of 45 but it is increasingly occurring at a younger age.
Regular physical activity and healthy eating are the best ways to help Type 2 diabetes.
While such lifestyle changes can prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes, there is currently no cure for either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Australia supports research through the Diabetes Australia Research Trust. (DART).
What is diabetes anyway?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when there is too much glucose in the blood because the body is not producing insulin or not using insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone needed for glucose to enter the cells and be converted to energy.
There are two types of diabetes, ‘Type 1’ which is insulin dependent, and Type 2, which is non-insulin dependent.
The Great Australian Bite was launched by Diabetes Australia in April 2002. The ‘bite’ itself can involve any meal, any time during the month of April 2006. You can share a ‘bite’ with mates at work on a coffee break, have a breakfast, lunch, barbecue, picnic, video night, party or even Friday night drinks and nibbles — the choice is yours. ‘Bite’ participants are encouraged to make a donation to raise money for diabetes awareness, research, education programs and advocacy services.
For more information about The Great Australian Bite, phone Diabetes Australia on 1300 136 588 or visit their website: www.greataustralianbite.com.au
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