Global Village to heighten Awareness of Diabetes

It is time to take diabetes seriously; Diabetes in Barbados is increasing: it is time to act.

Latest statistics indicate that given the size of its population, Barbados has more persons affected by Diabetes and more amputations as a result of diabetic complications than any other country in the world.

The Barbados Diabetes Foundation and the Diabetes Association of Barbados continue to heighten awareness of the disease, its management and complications; at the third annual Global Village Expo, scheduled for November 13-14, 2009 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

This year this iconic event during November which is designated Diabetes Awareness Month, is, sponsored by the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, Super Centre Limited, and Colgate Palmolive.

Participants can obtain essential information to assist the diabetic in choosing healthier lifestyle options and is an opportunity to gain information about the disease. With Diabetes becoming increasingly prevalent in children, parents especially are being encouraged to make a special effort to come out, learn about the disease and speak to the nutritionist on hand who will be offering advice on healthy choices that are convenient and inexpensive.

We see diabetes as our problem as a nation as it impacts all of our lives.#160 If we do not have diabetes we know someone who does whether it is a relative, friend, child or work colleague.#160 So we all have a role to play.

The event which will run from 10 am to 7 pm daily will focus on healthy products, services and practices that will nurture the body. Diabetes like most chronic non-communicable diseases most times develops in individuals as a result of poor lifestyle and dietary choices. Although some share the view that genetics plays a major role in development of the disease, it can be argued that a healthy lifestyle will combat and even reverse Type 2 Diabetes, no matter the genotype.

Many Barbadians share the belief that obesity is not directly related to Diabetes, arguing that slim people have diabetes too. This has however proven to be a myth. Because an individual is slim, it does not mean that the individual is leading a healthy lifestyle. In addition, it should be noted that one of the symptoms of Diabetes is sudden weight loss, which comes as a result of not taking medication properly or simply being unaware that one even has the disease