Diabetes "Epidemic" and What We Can Do

New York City health officials recently declared diabetes an epidemic, as deaths and diagnoses of diabetes and obesity continue to rise dramatically. As such, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Department of Health, along with many prominent health practitioners are fighting for a ban on supersized "sugary beverages" at food establishments which receive grades from the Department of Health. While this sounds like a good idea on paper to combat excessive sugar intake, the jury is still out as to whether consumers will not compensate by ordering more of the smaller sizes, or get more refills. And beverages are far from the only source of sugar. Still, it is a promising idea considering the apparent success of smoking bans in reducing overall smoking rates. 

But this is just one small step in the fight against disease and restoration of health. We need widespread, multi-faceted changes in consumers and producers, private citizens and public officials. 

Ads like these urge consumers to skip the added sugars.

Here are just a few ways we can work towards a healthier future together: 

·         Free/Inexpensive Educational Workshops- Education is a big part of combating this disease because most people likely do not have a very strong understanding of diabetes, its causes, and effects. If people know exactly how the various kinds of food they eat are digested and integrated by the body with regards to disease/optimal health, then they are more likely to make better choices. It's also important to educate people in a practical way as much as in a theoretical way. Some people may think that they can eat now and worry about diabetes decades from now, or that diabetes is just an inevitable outcome- but it isn't. It is very real and the effects are cumulative and ultimately quite detrimental to quality of life. Nutrition classes at local clinics or public spaces would be beneficial, especially with the presence of a guest speaker who has personal experience or relation with a diabetic person. 

·         Spreading Accurate Info- As with the first point, more exposure is needed- the right kind. Media enjoy using shocking, severe headlines, and that may work at times. But the important thing is factually true, sound information that the average person can understand, and in turn, make changes to their lifestyles. In the office and around the community, brochures and fliers can be distributed to people. In such brochures and fliers, we can describe diabetes in an informative yet easy-to-read way, offer ways to fight the disease, and demonstrate how various treatment methods can work to that end. e.g. Nutrition, personal training. Public awareness about the issue is very important.

·         Community Changes- As a community, people have the power to make changes if we cause enough of a stir or consensus. With enough support, perhaps foods/beverages that significantly contribute to diabetes can be removed from stores/restaurants. If there is little to no demand for such items, then there will little to no supply for such items. A community may also raise support for wholesale public bans of sugary drinks, such as the one Mayor Bloomberg proposed on supersized sugary drinks.  Community events at schools or churches could be highly effective in doing all of these things (spreading the word, public speeches, healthy/organic foods sale, fundraising for diabetes organizations, walkathon, goodie bag giveaways, etc.)

·        Fundraising- This could be done by health care practitioners (try to raise money by reaching out to different organizations, medical offices, even patients; offer a limited time deal in which X % or X amount of proceeds go to Y organization or Z hospital,) or as a community (send fliers asking for donations, raise money with some event as stated above).

• Improving Accessibility, Affordability, and Resources- The most challenging aspect. A lack of accessibility and resources are frequently cited as a primary factor in high obesity and diabetes rates in more impoverished/underdeveloped/underinvested areas. The article in the Daily News says, " Diabetes deaths are particularly high among black New Yorkers, who have a rate of 116 deaths for every 100,000 people, compared with 81 for Hispanics, 45 for whites, and 41 for Asians," and "there are huge gaps between neighborhoods — with rates ranging from 19 deaths per 100,000 in Murray Hill, Manhattan, to 177 in Brownsville, Brooklyn." Obviously there are other factors that play into these statistics, but it is true that in certain areas, a lack of accessibility and resources exist. And even if fresh, healthy options exist, they are not very affordable for these people (or so it seems to be). Research also shows that fast food establishments are in greater numbers in such communities as well. Accessibility, affordability, and resources- these three must be addressed, otherwise information/education can only go so far in preventing/treating diabetes. 

This is in no way a complete run-down of what can be done, and indeed there are so many complications that must be accounted for. It goes to show that our food and health-care systems are greatly flawed, with the average person left to suffer the consequences. We must continue to make healthy changes in our lives. Our efforts will be worth it; after all, health is wealth.

Spotlight: DreamzstoryTV

DreamzstoryTV, a Youtube channel that gives fitness, workout, and nutrition advice, has risen substantially in popularity among the gaming community. An avid League of Legends player himself, Dreamz offers a unique personality that oozes of fun, humor, and passion that gamers and non-gamers alike can appreciate. Rather than the standard fitness or nutrition guru on Youtube, the young man from France has the ability to be seen as "one of them" to his viewers. He was once overweight and led a sedentary lifestyle but sought to change how he looked and felt.

According to Dreamz, this is his transformation:

Picture from his Reddit Page

His mantra is all about dedication; "every effort counts" whether it is a decision to take the stairs instead of the elevator or eat low-fat cottage cheese instead of junk food. His enthusiasm and motivation are refreshing and it is great to see someone giving back to their community. We need more people like Dreamz to show us that games are fun and all, but it is more important to keep our bodies healthy. Dreamz seems to be a success story, and his channel is no different. We can all work towards our goals and write our own story.

In his own words: "Eat Nerds Get Shredded".

For more about Dreamz, visit his Facebook page

                                                Youtube Channel

                                                Twitter 

Man Suffers Heart Attack at the Heart Attack Grill

*Sigh* Today's news involves a male customer at the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vagas, Nevada. While eating a "triple bypass burger", a man started sweating, shaking, and having chest pains, all symptoms of a heart attack. Truly ironic you could say. I'm pretty perplexed that people actually eat at a restaurant that serves horribly unhealthy food and encourages bad eating habits and obesity. The "quadruple bypass burger" can easily exceed 8,000 calories. Customers over 350lbs eat free. And come on, the restaurant is pretty ridiculous itself! The staff are called "nurses", the owner "Doctor", and the customers "patients". A bottle of whiskey sits in a sealed case on the wall as an emergency defibrillator. The hospital theme is pretty much a mockery of health. Tasty food is one thing but this is just insane.