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Diabetes

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Why are so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people getting, and dying of, diabetes?

Diabetes can also run in the family but in many cases, if you eat well and are physically active, you can stop yourself getting it.

We’re becoming more overweight and obese, which makes us more at risk of diabetes. An obese person is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, and around six out of 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are currently overweight or obese.

Other contributing factors to the high rates of diabetes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities include poor standards of living, low birth weight and reduced access to medical care.

Treatment and management

For people with type 2 diabetes, proper treatment and management can keep the condition under control, but this needs to be kept up for the rest of your life. If you don’t manage your diabetes properly, it can lead to serious complications, such as heart attack or stroke, eye disease, blindness, kidney disease, kidney failure and nerve damage and blood vessel damage, which can result in limb amputation.

What can I do?

The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to take steps now to reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes in the first place – eat healthy food that is low in fat, salt and sugar and high in fibre, get plenty of physical activity and maintain a healthy weight. Speak to your doctor or health worker about what else you can do to keep yourself and your family safe from diabetes.

By doing this today, you’re not only helping to keep yourself and your family healthy, you’re guaranteeing a healthier community for tomorrow.

For more information about diabetes go to HealthInsite.