November is World Diabetes Month and we are calling all New Zealanders to ‘Lap the Map’ for diabetes prevention. On Sunday 23 November we held a family-friendly walk around Avalon Park, starting and finishing at The Pavilion. Our walk was approximately 750m and we managed to complete a combined distance of 16.2km one the day well done everyone who joined us.
To help raise money for Diabetes New Zealand we also had a sausage sizzle, face painting and raffles it was allot of fun. All funds raised went to Diabetes New Zealand for diabetes awareness, prevention and research.
Diabetes New Zealand tell us New Zealand has a serious and growing type 2 diabetes problem. It is predicted that within the next 20 years, the number of people with type 2 diabetes will increase by 70-90%. Of these people Māori, Pacific and Asian will be worst affected. Allowing this to occur will have a hugely detrimental impact on the wellbeing of our people, but also on the sustainability of our health system and economy.
At a population level, it is essential to create an environment which is conducive to healthy food and activity choices in order to reduce the high rates of obesity, the major preventative risk factor for type 2 diabetes. At a community level, there is a need to support our whānau and communities to make positive change. At an individual level, diabetes affects almost every aspect of a person’s life, including their physical health, mental health, social life and employment.
Diabetes is the tip of the iceberg as the cause of significant health issues with downstream comorbidities – cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss neuropathies and lower limb amputation. In New Zealand, 17% of all health loss across the population is the result of diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes – Are you at risk?
Ameowzing Face-painting
