Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 6, 1 Iune 2010 — Fighting diabetes through education [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Fighting diabetes through education

By Claire Ku'uleilani Hughes, Dr. Ph, R.D.

\ani is almost 13 years old. She is an excellent student in school and is a worrier. Although today, Nani's family is elated because her infant nephew Kapono's sixth-month eheekup was good. Things were so different a year ago, when Kapono's mom, Lei, developed gestational diabetes and complications with her pregnancy. At the same time, Nani's mother and grandmother were also dealing with diabetes

complications of their own. In fact, Tūtū lost mueh of her vision and has some kidney problems now. Nani decided to take action. Because of her family's pilikia with diabetes, Nani would focus on diabetes for her school research project. With resources in the school library and the Internet, Nani learned there are three types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes happens when the body's pancreas stops making insulin, Type 2 happens when the body cannot use the insulin that it makes, and gestahonal diabetes happens in pregnant women when hormone changes interfere with insulin use by the expectant mother. Gestational diabetes is usually temporary, but ean cause some serious problems for the mother and unhom infant. Lei's doctor had worried so mueh during her last pregnancy. Lei's weight

and food choices had caused problems. Nani learned that without insulin, blood sugar cannot move into the body's cells to be used as fuel by the muscles, brain, heart and other parts of the body. So, sugar collects and builds up in the blood. This high blood sugar forces the kidneys to overwork, as it tries to get rid of the sugar. Blood sugar rises fast when diabetics eat and drink sugary food like soda, pastry, white rice and bread. Low sugar foods digest slowly, keeping blood sugar lower. Low sugar foods are brown rice, whole grains, poi, vegetables and meats. Exercise uses sugar to make muscles work, so exercising every day helps to keep blood sugar from building up. Nani also learned that uneontrolled diabetes ean cause heart disease, stroke, blindness and

kidney failure. Nani worried because her mother and grandmother have some of these complications now. Nani also found that many Hawaiians have diabetes. Nani's Internet research showed that of Hawai'i's 1.3 million residents, 86,707 people had diabetes in 2008. That number included 19,159 Hawaiians; only Japanese had a greater number of diabetics with 23,457. Every evening Nani eagerly shared what she learned with her family. It didn't take long for the family to respond to her enthusiasm. Nani's family agreed to work on controlling their diabetes. They agreed to make better food choices. Nani and sister Lei agreed to learn healthy ways to eook. Lei wanted to give her three children, including little Kapono, a healthy start, as well as a healthier mom and dad.

A magazine called Diabetic Living caught Nani's eye at the supermarket. It was pricey, but she had enough babysitting money to buy it. The magazine had lots information and recipes for diabetics. Nani was excited. That evening, Nani and her family talked about the recommendations to control diabetes: 1) Manage your weight; 2) Know your numbers: blood sugar, pressure and lipids (fats); 3) Take your medicines to lower blood sugar, pressure and lipids; 4) Stay positive and build support (family, friends) and 5) exercise daily for about 30 minutes. Nani's family is on a healthy path. And, Nani changed from worrying about diabetes to becoming an active leamer, teacher and doer. Nani is so glad that her family is on the way to healthier living. ■