Roadshow raises awareness

Karen Reed hula hooping at yesterday's diabetes awareness event. Photo / Stephen Parker

Down at Countdown yesterday people dressed in blue were hula hooping out information on diabetes - a fun way to spread the word about a serious issue.

This month is Diabetes Action month and the Diabetes New Zealand Rotorua branch has helped organise three events in order to raise awareness of diabetes and promote healthy lifestyles in the community.

The first took place yesterday as the National Diabetes New Zealand Roadshow's minibus parked up at the Fenton St supermarket to offer diabetes risk assessments and information.

Health navigator Susan Moala'eua was happy to share her knowledge with locals.

"This is very important, we give them the tools. We've given them the skeleton and they can add the body to it. Once people know how, they can make the changes. They are in charge," Miss Moala'eua said.

Joanna Biddle-Gillespie, health and fitness consultant for Golds Health and Fitness, was at Countdown, too, to promote the MoveMeant day taking place at the gym on November 28.

"We think exercise and fitness is important to reduce the risk of diabetes. It's important to be fit and healthy and strong to help manage your diabetes."

The gym will be open free to the public that day from 9am to 1pm to support the cause.

This Saturday is World Diabetes Day as it marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, a discoverer of insulin. A picnic will be held in the Redwoods to celebrate the Rotorua branch's volunteers and contributors.

Karen Reed, president of the Rotorua branch and vice-president of Diabetes New Zealand, said they had help with delivering thousands of pamphlets from a group of men from a Korowai Aroha project.

The pamphlets were produced with a grant from Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust and Diabetes New Zealand is giving 10c per pamphlet to the cause of the men's choice. Mrs Reed said they hoped to announce the cause at this weekend's picnic.

Mrs Reed, who was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was 10, said this project was very close to her heart. "It is the first time we have had an 'action month', normally it's just an awareness week. It's so cool so many people are coming on board and supporting us."

Diabetes in New Zealand

* The number of New Zealanders with diabetes has doubled from 125,000 to 277,000 in the past 10 years.

* On average, 40 new diabetes diagnoses are made in New Zealand every day.

* Approximately one in four New Zealanders have pre-diabetes.

* The risk of type 2 diabetes can be roughly halved by weight loss, diet change and increased exercise.

* Maori are three times more likely to have type 2 diabetes than non-Maori.

* More information at www.diabetes.org.nz