Bethany Smith Community dietitian	Dr Kiran Kumar Medical Officer for Health

By Kevin Shereves
Kevin@caymannetnews.com

Two iconic buildings in Cayman will be lit up in blue this month to mark International Diabetes Awareness Day on 14 November.

The Butterfield Bank and Pedro St. James National Historic Site, as well as Kirk Freeport Stingray Fountain at Bayshore Mall will be lit up in blue, in response to the International Diabetes Federation’s challenge to all countries to light iconic buildings and monuments in blue to bring diabetes awareness to the fore.

Started in 1991 and designated as an official United Nations day in 2007, World Diabetes Day is an International Diabetes Federation (IDF) event that highlights the ongoing campaign against diabetes as well as the effort to enhance the lives of diabetes sufferers.

This year sees the start of a five-year campaign that will specifically address the critical need for diabetes education and prevention programmes. Accordingly, the theme chosen for 2009 is Understand Diabetes and Take Control.

The 2009 global challenge is expected to exceed the 1107 monuments and buildings lit in blue last year. In the past, Cayman has participated in the challenge by lighting Hero’s Square Fountain and the Mission House.

“There are an estimated 2,015 diabetics registered by the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority,” said, Medical Officer for Health Dr Kiran Kumar, “and approximately 22 percent of this number is below the age of 18.”

“Diabetes is one of the lifestyle diseases. It is a result of how we live including what we eat and the fact that we do not participate in enough physical activity,” said Dr Anna Mathews, General practice coordinator with the Health Services Authority (HSA).

Dr Matthews said that incidence of diabetes is increasing worldwide and can lead to serious complications, which also has implications for health dollars.

“Diabetes is the leading cause of amputations, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and blindness. In addition to the human costs, the financial costs of diabetes are enormous.”

Community dietitian Bethany Smith also noted that the Diabetes Support Group in conjunction with the Cayman Islands Diabetes Association will be hosting a fountain lighting ceremony at Camana Bay on 14 November, to commemorate Diabetes Day.”

“We will illuminate the fountain in blue, which is the official colour for World Diabetes day,” Ms Smith explained.

The Cayman Islands Diabetes Association (CIDA), the Diabetic Support Group (DSG), the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens and Lions Central, Rotaract Blue, Kiwanis, the Ministry of Health, the Health Services Authority (HSA) and Camana Bay have all joined forces to raise awareness through “When the Lights Go Blue, Diabetes Awareness is in Focus.”

This free event, hosted at The Crescent in Camana Bay, will start with illuminating the fountain in blue. (World Diabetes Day is represented by the blue circle logo, the global diabetes symbol).

Health risk screenings for children and adults will take place on site. These will include waist circumference, height, weight, body mass index, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol checks as well as diabetes risk assessments.

In addition there will be a silent auction to raise funds for the Diabetic Support Group and the school poster competition winners will be announced.

For entertainment, there will be games and a bouncing the castle for children, live music by the Cayman Islands National Wind Ensemble and Professor Powell, and refreshments will be supplied by Luca, Roots, and Cayman Imports.

Screenings and health checks will be provided as well as fun events for the entire family.

“CIDA invited child diabetes patients to submit essays about living with and maintaining the disease and their essays will be on display throughout the day,” Ms Smith added.

Ms Smith noted that with type two diabetes there is a strong lifestyle component in regards to maintaining and preventing the disease.

Dr Matthews said that years ago type two diabetes was more commonly found in older persons, but today it is found more and more in young people because of inactivity and improper diet.

“One of the main education goals in relation to type two diabetes is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Monitoring your weight and maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise is necessary in keeping the disease at bay,” said Ms Smith.

While the disease can also be genetic, Dr Matthews noted that environment and your lifestyle is what causes the early manifestations of the disease,” she said.

Providing recommendations for preventing or maintaining the disease, she said persons should ensure that they get an annual screening because you might have diabetes and not know it.

She said that getting screened is also important as persons may be in a state of pre diabetes with no symptoms, which can eventually lead to heart disease.


Other local diabetes awareness and education activities are:

• A diabetes awareness poster competition for Years 5 & 6 students; all schools are welcome to enter.
  
• The distribution of an educational leaflet Tips 4 Teens, Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes to all middle/secondary schools. This is sponsored by the HSA.
  
• The distribution of educational booklets to all school and libraries, doctor’s offices and hospitals. This is sponsored by CIDA.
  
• Distribution of diabetes pins, World Diabetes Day (WDD) posters, and WDD booklets for the 2009-2013 campaign on Diabetes Education & Prevention, by the Diabetic Support Group.
  
• A presentation of an educational course entitled Take Control: Manage Your Diabetes. This takes place 6-20 November, 5-8 p.m. at the Cayman Islands Hospital.
  
• A 5k Fun Run/Walk for Diabetes on Saturday, 28 November at 7 a.m., starting from Seven Mile Public Beach.

For more information on World Diabetes Day celebrations and how you can support the campaign, call Ms Smith on 244-2663, CIDA or the DSG.