Blue spotlight on diabetes with one in ten now affected

World Diabetes Day – November 14, 2012

Various diabetes organisations across Australia will participate in the World Diabetes Day ‘Monument Challenge’ which will see buildings across the country and worldwide lit up in blue to raise the awareness of the disease, which now affects over one in ten Australians.

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in Australia and while almost every Australian is familiar with the term, knowledge of how it can be identified and avoided is less widely recognised and will be put under the spotlight on World Diabetes Day on November 14.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the condition affecting up to 90% of those diagnosed and it is estimated that approximately 3.3 million Australians will have Type 2 diabetes by 2031. While this condition usually affects older adults, more and more young people are being diagnosed, including children.

Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Director of The Glucose Club, Dr Adam Fraser says their clinics have seen an explosion of patients with Type 2 diabetes who are sadly getting younger and younger.

“Of all the treatments we use to help people manage and prevent diabetes, physical activity is by far the most effective,” says Dr Fraser.

“When our Type 2 patients start to exercise we see a dramatic improvement in their condition. In many cases we have seen people’s conditions improve so much that they are no longer classified as having Type 2 diabetes. The added bonus is that the increase in activity not only improves their diabetes but also improves their blood pressure, cholesterol profile, their mood and their mobility. Properly prescribed exercise is by far the most effective tool to treat chronic metabolic conditions like diabetes.”

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Executive Officer, Anita Hobson-Powell, says up to 60% of Type 2 cases can be prevented by changes in lifestyle and being aware of how diet and lack of exercise can increase the risk.

“There is compelling evidence that Type 2 diabetes is more likely to develop in individuals who are insufficiently active, so by maintaining an active lifestyle and exercising regularly you can significantly reduce your risk,” said Ms Hobson-Powell.

“The symptoms of diabetes are easily dismissed which is why we encourage people to evaluate any tell-tale signs and see their GP if they have any concerns. According to a recent report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIWH), one in four adults and one in 12 children are obese in Australia and the number of people with diabetes doubled between 1989-90 and 2007-08 from 1.5% to 4.1%.

“Many experts are concerned with effects that obesity may have on the rising rates of chronic disease including diabetes. In the meantime I know it’s a cliché, but regular exercise is good for you so if we all increased our activity levels we could directly impact on the number of Australians with diabetes which would be a great outcome.”

For those diagnosed Type 2 patients and the close to 1 million Australians who are believed to be undiagnosed, exercise can also form an important part of their treatment. Based on research evidence, ESSA recommends patients with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes accumulate a minimum of 210 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 125 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise a week to gain significant benefit. It is further recommended that this includes at least two resistance training sessions per week to achieve maximum benefit.

“We always recommend an exercise training program is written and delivered by someone with the appropriate qualification and experience to manage a patient’s specific requirements as one size does not fit all and there may be risk of complications,” continued Ms Hobson-Powell.

To find your local accredited exercise physiologist please visit www.essa.org.au. You may also be entitled to Medicare funded treatment sessions. Please see your GP for referral.

Ends.

For further media information, please contact Maya from Fresh PR & Marketing on 0410 109 102 or email maya@freshprm.com.au.

Top Tips for getting active
1. Always take the stairs, avoid escalators and lifts.
2. Roll up your sleeves and get into the garden for a few hours a week.
3. Find yourself a buddy so you can keep each other motivated and have regular exercise times and days.
4. Go for a stroll around the neighbourhood after dinner.
5. Dance… see you’re already smiling at the idea! Turn up the tunes in your lounge Wash your car, it’s a double win – a nice clean car but a good work out!
6. Invest in a pedometer and set yourself a target for every day.
7. Take the furthest parking space rather than the closest.
8. Wash the car or spring clean a room and get a great workout!
9. Go swimming, summer is just around the corner.
10. Join a local walking group, tai chi class or yoga group.

For more information please view the ESSA position statement on Exercise prescription for patients with Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Additional information (source: Diabetes Australia)

Diabetes Australia says almost a million Australians are currently diagnosed with diabetes and estimate almost as many again have the condition and are not yet diagnosed. When you add pre-diabetes into the statistics, the organisation estimates the total number of Australians with either diabetes or pre-diabetes is 3.2 million, which is a staggering 14% of the population.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

In Type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs are dismissed as a part of ‘getting older’. By the time Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the complications of diabetes may already be present. Symptoms include:
– Being excessively thirsty
– Passing more urine
– Feeling tired and lethargic
– Always feeling hungry
– Having cuts that heal slowly
– Itching, skin infections
– Blurred vision
– Gradually putting on weight
– Mood swings
– Headaches
– Feeling dizzy
– Leg cramps

You are at a higher risk of getting Type 2 diabetes if you:
– have a family history of diabetes
– are older (over 55 years of age ) – the risk increases as we age
– are over 45 years of age and are overweight
– are over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure
– are over 35 years of age and are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
– are over 35 years of age and are from Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background
– are a woman who has given birth to a child over 4.5 kgs (9 lbs), or had gestational diabetes when pregnant, or had a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

ABOUT ESSA

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) is the peak professional body for exercise and sports science in Australia, and provides national leadership and advocacy on key issues. ESSA supports its 3,500+ members and the community by fostering excellence in professional practice, education, training and research.
Website: www.essa.org.au

Official Media Spokesperson for this release:

Accredited Exercise Physiologists Dr Adam Fraser and Christine Armarego
Directors of The Glucose Club
adam@dradamfraser.com
0409 360 511

Anita Hobson-Powell
Executive Officer
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
327 Sandgate Road Albion QLD 41010
E: Anita.Hobson-Powell@essa.org.au
P: 07 3862 4122 M: 0400 519 800

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