Canadian Diabetes Association resources aimed at South Asian and Aboriginal communities
TORONTO, March 15, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - March is Nutrition Month and what better time to kick-start a new healthy lifestyle. The Canadian Diabetes Association is pleased to offer new nutrition resources for the South Asian and Aboriginal communities. These easy-to-use resources that are highly regarded by both healthcare professionals and consumers are an adaptation of the Association's Just the Basics resource.
The South Asian and Aboriginal Just the Basics resources are filled with culturally appropriate information and tips for healthy eating including portion guides. The resources additionally provide recommendations on how to increase physical activity and advice on how to follow a healthy lifestyle. The South Asian resource also includes healthy sample meal plans with vegetarian options.
"South Asians are the fastest growing immigrant population in Canada and they also have one of the highest rates of diabetes amongst all of the cultural groups in Canada. People of Aboriginal descent are three to five times more likely than the general population to develop type 2 diabetes," said Sharon Zeiler, Senior Manager of Diabetes Education and Nutrition, Canadian Diabetes Association. "These new resources will help enable these groups to incorporate nutritious food options and physical activity into their lifestyle."
The South Asian and Aboriginal Just the Basics resources are the first two tools in a series of resources that will be tailored towards specific cultural groups that have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The South Asian resource is available in five languages - Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, English and French and the Aboriginal resource is presently available in English. Future resources will be directed to people of African, Asian and Hispanic descent. Visit diabetes.ca to order printed copies of the South Asian or Aboriginal Just the Basics resource from the Online Literature Order Desk or to download an electronic version.
Diabetes in Canada
Today, more than three million Canadians live with diabetes of which one million live with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. More than 20 people are diagnosed with the disease every hour of every day. A further six million Canadians live with prediabetes and nearly 50 per cent of them will go on to develop type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes refers to a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Nearly one in four Canadians either has diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes also threatens the economic prosperity of our nation as it currently costs our healthcare system $12.2 billion annually - a number that is projected to rise to $16.9 billion by 2020. However, as much as diabetes is impacting the Canadian healthcare system, it is shortening people's lives by 5 to 15 years. Diabetes is increasingly costing Canadians their lives, yet people remain desensitized to it. Visit getcheckednow.ca for more information.
About the Canadian Diabetes Association
Across the country, the Canadian Diabetes Association is leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our community-based network of supporters help us provide education and services to people living with diabetes, advocate for our cause, break ground towards a cure and translate research into practical applications. For more information, please visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).
