Living with diabetes

SUPPORT: Kristen White, Jacqui Thompson, Adrian Broad and Andrea Bell from the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Tararua Diabetes Trust. PHOTO: ALECIA ROUSSEAU

Diabetes is on the rise but it's not due to the usual reasons.

Today is World Health Day and the spotlight has been thrust on to the condition that affects more than 250,000 New Zealanders.

About 40 people a day are diagnosed with diabetes and organisations like the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Tararua Diabetes Trust is important in establishing support and education programmes for sufferers.

Run out of Compass Health on Main Street, the trust has three fulltime employees working to ensure local diabetics are provided with the information they need to manage their condition.

Diabetes is on the rise but not because of genetics. The trust works with many diabetics who don't have the disease in their family. Experts are unsure why the condition is increasing.

Clinical manager Jacqui Thompson said the trust also worked alongside other support agencies.

"Some of our clients are referred by their GP, some hear about us through word of mouth and others self-refer. We see on average about 1500 people annually."

The trust offers nutritional information and has programmes tailored for young diabetics. Youth co-ordinator Andrea Bell said diabetes was particularly tough on youngsters.

" Finger pricking is a challenge for little children, and teen years, which are already tricky, get harder as all the usual issues compound with having diabetes."

Children with diabetes often felt isolated.

"It's hard ... mood, hormones and everything else all interact. We get the family together and try to show the individual how to keep doing things normally." The trust also has support groups for family and friends.

"The family also has to adjust," Ms Bell said.

Ms Thompson said many people were unaware of the impact of diabetes.

"The complications are so devastating ... vision loss, you are two to four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke, 51 per cent of people who have dialysis have diabetes and it can affect your lower limbs, with some needing amputation."

Dietician Kristen White specialises in teaching clients healthy eating.

"We have diet-specific cooking classes. I also show people the amount of sugar in a drink ... or what fat is in some foods. People are often surprised."

She keeps things as simple as possible while encouraging clients to be hands-on.

"We make things interactive and fun. I also provide a list of alternatives and tell people to ask themselves when thinking about food, 'is it worth it?'."

All agreed diabetes can be managed with the right diet and lifestyle choices.

"There is no cure ... once you've got it you can't turn back the clock," Ms Thompson said. "But we can show you how to manage it and we are here to tell people there is something you can do about it."