Early diabetes detection is key
The Mayor of Blacktown City and more than 50 council staff lined up for a diabetes detection test on Thursday as part of World Diabetes Day (November 14).
The team from Western Sydney Diabetes carried out free diabetes risk assessments to Blacktown City Council staff at the council’s Staff Roadshow event as a way of promoting early detection and the lifestyle campaign, the 2kg Challenge.
The team also promoted the initiatives at Healthy Living Toongabbie’s Healthy Ageing Forum that night.
NSW Health estimates that diabetes rates in western Sydney are 13% in adults and have been rising for over a decade.
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood. The body can’t make insulin, enough insulin, or is not effectively using the insulin it does make.
If untreated, high glucose levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, resulting in long term health complications including heart, kidney, eye and foot damage.
Diabetes well-being is the theme for World Diabetes Day 2024-26.
Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting was one of the first to step up for a HbA1c test and said diabetes is a real concern for families in the community and one of the most important things people can do is to test regularly.
“Testing allows us to make informed decisions about our health,” Mayor Bunting said.
“Western Sydney is fortunate to have resources and programs that can help with managing diabetes. I am committed to promoting a healthier, more active community in Blacktown City, and our parks and open spaces are vital to this. Staying active can make a significant difference in managing and even preventing diabetes, so let’s work together to make a difference.”
The 2kg Challenge is an initiative by the Western Sydney Changing Diabetes collaboration which was launched in 2022 between Western Sydney Diabetes, Workers Lifestyle Group and pharmaceutical group Novo Nordisk in 2022.
The 2kg Challenge encourages people to improve their health through small, manageable lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by up to 30 per cent.
WSD Director, Professor Glen Maberly said small, consistent lifestyle changes can help prevent diabetes.
“You don’t need to overhaul your life all at once, every bit of exercise and every healthy choice counts, that’s why the 2kg Challenge is about more than weight loss, it is about embracing lifestyle changes that we can sustain every day,” Prof Maberly said.
Diabetes can often be prevented if you act early, through increasing your physical activity, eating a healthy diet and losing weight.
“However, if you do develop diabetes you need to make sure you are getting regular blood tests and working with your GP to ensure you are using the appropriate medications and keeping your blood sugars under control.”
CDE Jaybee Serrano discusses the diabetes detection test with Box Divvy founder and WSD Alliance partner Jayne Travers-Drapes.
By signing up to the 2kg Challenge, you’ll enter a draw to win a FREE copy of The Greengrocer’s Diet by Judy Davie that promotes long-term weight loss and good health and filled with over 220 delicious recipes and healthy eating tips.
WSD Prevention Manager Sarah Driscoll said early detection is key.
“Type 2 Diabetes is a significant burden of disease in the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) catchment and up to twice as prevalent in western Sydney suburbs compared to Sydney’s northern and eastern suburbs,” Ms Driscoll said.
“Western Sydney is home to many cultural groups. Diabetes disproportionately impacts lower socio-economic, and culturally diverse communities and is up to four times more common in those from Indian sub-continent, Arabic, Asian, and Pacific Islands backgrounds, as well as those from the Aboriginal community.”
WSD is encouraging adults to go to their GP for a HbA1c blood test if they:
- Have a family history of diabetes;
- Have an inactive lifestyle;
- Are overweight or obese;
- Had diabetes during a pregnancy; and
- Have a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent, African, Asian, South Asian, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.
The 3-minute finger prick test does not require fasting and is a quick indicator of diabetes.
“Getting outdoors, keeping active, and eating well all contribute to the prevention of type 2 diabetes,” Ms Driscoll said.
“Making changes to your lifestyle through eating well and exercise is the best way to make sure your blood glucose levels are controlled, alongside taking your appropriate medication.”
WSD was established in response to the growing threat diabetes poses to our community’s health and wellbeing.
It is led by WSLHD and Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WentWest), Diabetes Australia and NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure to address the western Sydney diabetes hotspot.
WSD has developed numerous educational resources to help improve the health and wellbeing of the western Sydney community through initiatives from WSLHD, including more than 130 videos.
You can find Healthy Living Options, Healthy Living Options – Affordable Food, and Healthy Recipe Book editions on the WSD website.
There are also low cost, simple, healthy recipes on the NSW Healthy Living website.
You could consider joining the Get Healthy Service which is available to all NSW residents over 16 years of age. The service is free and health coaching is offered by university qualified Dietitians and Exercise Physiologists.
