Diabetes from a public health perspective

When I had GD I was told to avoid white carbs because they are so easily converted to sugar. What do low income people live on? White bread, taters, pasta, rice. Makes sense.

High fructose corn syrup is a big problem too. Low fat foods sometimes contain more sugar as a sub for the fat to make them taste better, too.


Knew about the military (hs classmate couldn't join the guard) and pilot thing. My sister has run into some dirty looks when she HAS to take a break at a certain time to eat something or take her insulin. Diabetics can't just wait.

I saw the comment about the fat slothful people as a HEY it could happen to YOU to the thin, vigorous people.

Yep, this nations take on healthcare is messed up. People hear public health program and they think of the methadone clinic for addicts, not the clean needles and insulin for the granny of 15 living on SSI and half her dead hubby's pension from his 50 years at the auto plant.

[Gwendolyn]

We have a type 1 diabetic in our family. The discriminatory practices are overwhelming. He can not get liability insurance that would cover any illness related to his diabetes...which really means anything. He never discloses that information to his employers. He constantly fights insurance for appropriate coverage for the supplies he needs.

What most interesting about type1 (formerly juvenile) and type 2 (formerly adult) is that they both are increasing in populations that were otherwise undiagnosed. That is why the two forms of the disease have changed names because type 1 no longer affects only children and type 2 no longer affects only adults.

The difference is the reason for onset of diabetes. There are a few theories about why type 1 occurs, but it is labeled as an autoimmune disease. type 2 can typically be controlled by diet and exercise if it is well managed and diagnosed early enough. It is typically associated with obesity, but also is tied to how the body metabolizes sugar. Not all overweight people will become a type 2 diabetic and you don't have to be overweight to become a type 2 diabetic.

It is a real public health concern that is not being taken seriously because those that have it are labeled as "fat" and if they would only loose weight. The other concern are all of the ansellary symptoms that come with diabetes like, depression, inability to maintain long-term relationships, lack of job stability, difficulty integrating into social groups, not to mention the mood swings that are associated with blood-sugar swings.

This is a huge problem in public health and will only get worse.

(I conducted a study on adolescents with diabetes a few years ago...there may be more recent info, but my understanding is fairly current)

My sister didn't get diagnosed with type II until her vision changed so much that she went through 3 prescriptions in 6 months. Her sugars were around 300 when the doc tested her.

[Rapunzel]

Certain ethnic groups are more prone to diabetes than others. My husband's Mexican side tends to have diabetes. It really is an epidemic that has flown under the radar. I almost think it embarrasses people (because it is popularly associated with sloth and obesity). I tend to get gestational diabetes and that predisposes me for getting one of the types of diabetes later in life - so I have to be very careful. It is something I definitely worry about (in addition to the various cancers that run in my family). I always freak out over the GD. I get nervous that it won't really go away after the pregnancy ends....

The increase in prevalence of diabetes -- double in the last 25 years -- seems to get little attention. Same for predictions that 1 in 3 people born in 2000 will have diabetes, 1 in 2 for hispanic females. Half of a population getting a disease that is largely preventible? And very costly if not controlled?

I think it is just not as interesting or scary, though it should be, to the general public as AIDS, breast cancer, Alzheimers, etc. Maybe we are missing the boat by trying to teach kids about the ills of tobacco and drugs and should more concerned with lifestyle and health education.

Down with high fructose corn syrup!

[DCJenn]

Have you ever looked at how many products contain HFCS? It's staggering.

I decided that we really need to do all we can in our house to limit our access to the stuff and it's HARD. Try finding a sweetened yogurt (not with Aspartame, or Splenda) that doesn't have HFCS. Actually, what we do is buy the plain (without gelatin-another issue altogether) and add honey or maple syrup to it.

Half my staff in San Antonio (hispanic females, some overweight, some not) were on the cusp of being diagnosed with diabetes. In fact, when my cat was diagnosed with diabetes while we were in San Antonio, everyone joked that it was because of the burritos and larded frijoles.

The District of Columbia also has a huge diabetes problem, and a huge kidney disease problem.

Until these diseases target rich, fat, white guys, though, there will be no money. (which is why viagra is now covered in the new Medicare plans, but not some 'actual' medications) Although between Hastert and Cheney, I'm pretty sure the heart conditions research is funded...
(and Hastert's wife is training for a marathon...guess she's ready to be the 'Merry Widow')

It's a huge problem and I think that lifestyle education is critical- both at home, at school and in the workplace. My cousin teaches the 2000s version of Home Ec to inner city Columbus, OH kids and when she does nutrition, she's always amazed at how little these kids know about 'real' food.

Jenn