Diabetes and Unhealthy Eating
A few weeks ago the San Jose Mercury News in California stated that the diabetes epidemic is "costing the country over $100 billion annually prompting a major push by medical companies in the Silicon Valley to combat it." The problem was that diabetic patients need more consumer friendly equipment to monitor blood sugar. This may be true but the article misses some major points.
There was not one single word mentioning how diet, managing weight, and a healthy lifestyle can prevent diabetes (Type 2) in the first place. This is not a disease where one just catches it like a virus or bacteria. We acquire diabetes usually after many years of not eating and exercising properly. Type 2 diabetes is highly preventable.
The paper also said "advocacy groups have lobbied for more federal money to study the ailment." What more is there to study? This is not brain surgery we are looking at. How about advocating that our federal dollars have doctors enlist the support of qualified nutritionists to help people understand the real application of healthy eating habits? And while we are at it maybe we need to get rid of all the advertising on TV encouraging us to consume excess amounts of all that unhealthy food that contributes to diabetes.
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Posted by: Steve Parker | Mar 26, 2008 3:03:57 AM
"Motivation" to change seems to be the biggest problem. Especially for people who are feeling well and are healthy except for being obese. Most of the people who are pre-diabetics, such as having impaired glucose tolerance, don't know they have it.
I've only seen the TV show, "The Biggest Loser," once. Those losers are motivated! And they inspire others. Is the chance to be on TV the key motivation? The competition between teams is also motivational, tapping into human nature.
Onset of an obesity-related health problem, like type 2 diabetes, often provides the motivation to change diet and lifestyle. Sometimes that's too late. I'm glad NutritionData and Elaine are here to help.
-Steve
Posted by: Elaine Murphy | Mar 24, 2008 11:05:55 PM
Dr. Parker,
Many people DO know what to do on a certain level but still still need much more direction from what I see. Many need to learn the APPLICATION of healthy habits which is different. But you make a good point. Weight loss is multidimensional and needs many approaches.
Posted by: Elaine Murphy | Mar 24, 2008 10:58:53 PM
Jessica,
Wow, thank you for those words. Maybe you should consider writing all that in the "Opinion" sections of all newspapers and magazines! You made some great points.
Posted by: Steve Parker | Mar 24, 2008 10:49:32 PM
I discuss prevention of diabetes through weight loss at my healthy lifesytyle blog:
http://advancedmediterraneandiet.com/blog/?cat=13
I'm not totally convinced nutritionists can help that much with the obesity/diabetes epidemic. Don't most people already know what they need to do to prevent or alleviate obesity? They just won't do it. Maybe psychologists would be more helpful than nutritionists.
I'm just being a bit contrarian. Nutritionists do lots of great things for their clients.
We need a cultural change.
-Steve Parker, M.D.
Posted by: Jessica | Mar 24, 2008 10:14:05 PM
I agree that federal dollars should allow doctors to enlist the support of qualified nutritionists. I am very passionate about this as the growing problem of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and on and on is not getting any better.
Insurance companies not providing coverage to those patients seeking nutrition advice from an R.D. or Nutritionist is, in my opinion, a huge contributor to our nation's growing problem. The way it is now, one has to have type 2 diabetes in order to (hopefully) be covered when seeking nutritional advice from a professional. When will the decision makers on these issues realize that the current approach is reactive rather than proactive or preventative. A proactive approach would be to have these resources available and affordable to the public. As a result would not be such a great need for reactionary, emergency problem solving because the only thing to react to would be a healthier USA.
