Friday 5 November 2010

Don't Wait for Diabetes to Strike

Don't Wait for Diabetes to Strike

As Canadians' waistlines continue to grow, so does the number of nationwide diabetics.

Here in Haldimand and across the country, diabetes statistics are staggering. Each hour of every day, more than 20 Canadians discover they have the disease, and today's sedentary lifestyle has contributed to what's being called a pandemic by health professionals: more than nine million Canadians -or nearly one in four people -are diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes.

In Haldimand and Norfolk counties, 33 per cent of residents have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27 or greater, which is significantly higher than the Ontario average of 28 per cent, according to H-N Diabetes Program Coordinator Cindy Gekiere. She added that a normal BMI ranges from 20 to 25.

The Haldimand-Norfolk Diabetes Program is working to fight this globally spreading disease.

Next week, Dr. David Kennedy, MD, a Diabetes Program Advisor, will address the widespread health issue by hosting a free presentation, entitled, "Diabetes: The Weight is on You!"

Dr. Kennedy will explain effective ways to manage your weight with diabetes -whether you need to shed or add pounds -and present diabetes products and services that can help manage the disease.

All Haldimand and Norfolk residents are welcome to view the presentation's exhibits from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dunnville Christian School, located at 37 Robinson Road, and attend all or part of the informative event, which lasts from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Statistics-Health Canada 2010 states that 59.2 per cent of men and 43.9 per cent of women are currently obese, with the number continuing to rise every year.

The good news is that the trend toward developing the disease can be easily reversed. Since obesity dramatically increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the chances of getting it drop by a whopping 50 per cent for patients if they simply get active, lose weight, and introduce healthier foods into their daily diets.

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