Filipino Australian Diabetes Support Network
People of a Filipino background are one of the highest ethnic groups at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
Western Sydney is home to the largest of Sydney’s Filipino migrant population with Blacktown, Rooty Hill, Mount Druitt, Quakers Hill, Plumpton and Woodcroft the most popular suburbs.
It was identified there was a need to raise awareness of the problem to the community leaders; namely health practitioners and prominent members of the Filipino community.
Western Sydney Diabetes organised a Filipino leaders meeting in 2020 via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Over 70 people attended the forum and from this, a focus group was established which consisted of leaders within the community who could directly interact with various community groups and implement change to large numbers of the Filipino population in western Sydney.
The Filipino Australian Diabetes Support Network (FADSN) was born.
The working party was established with 18 participants including an endocrinologist, general practitioners, dietitian, diabetes educators, church leader and other community leaders.
Monthly working party meetings are facilitated by Western Sydney Diabetes.
The group’s areas of focus include:
- Diet modification;
- Diabetes prevention & screening;
- Public awareness; and
- Upskilling the nursing workforce within the community.
T2DM is mostly a preventable condition and is related to unhealthy eating habits and physical activity patterns.
The Filipino leaders identified that the main modifiable risk factor contributing to diabetes in their population is the traditional Filipino diet, which includes foods that are high in refined sugars, saturated fats, sodium and high-glycaemic index carbohydrates such as white jasmine rice which is typically the core of Filipino cuisine. It is traditional to have rice for two or three meals per day.
Food is shared with everyone at the table therefore dishes are often served in large portions.
A gap identified by the group is the knowledge on how to cook a healthy meal using a traditional recipe. It is important to educate the community how to make Filipino cuisine a healthier one without significantly altering the appearance, smell and taste of the traditional flavours.
Follow the Facebook page and sign up to the walking group using the QR code below.
