One hundred diabetic kids from the patient support groups namely Rainbow Camp, Phil. Society of Pediatric Metabolism and Endocrinology Camp (PSPME), Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation Inc. (PCDEF), Dialysis PH and the Diabetes Association of Camp Crame Inc. gathered at the health and wellness fair held at SM Megamall’s event center on May 16.
Participants of the event took part in a half-day program promoting better nutrition and lifestyle. The event was held to showcase a day in the life of a Type 1 diabetes patient through a series of activities and presentations from health, fitness and nutrition partners that seek to create awareness on the effective ways to fight diabetes and to correct misconceptions surrounding it.
Kapuso host and “Kuya ng bayan Tonipet Gaba” hosted the whole day event while celebrity nutritionist and diet and fitness guru Nadine Tengco gave a presentation on creating healthy meals.
Nadine who is known to be a diet coach to the stars showed the audience how to prepare healthy and nutritious meals.
According to her the common misconception about diabetes is that when the doctor says diet, it’s about losing weight; but it’s actually about regulating what you eat and the eating habits because food is not an enemy but a solution.
Bounty Fresh, Sunnywood Rice, Jertie’s Kitchen, Nestle Fitnesse, Parkour and Curves were among the health partners who had booth set up in the area.
Diabetes Nurse Educators had an insulin area as well where participants and even other mall goers were able to have their blood sugar test.
Diabetes is a serious, chronic metabolic disease characterized by an increase in blood sugar levels associated with long term damage and failure of organ functions, especially the eyes, the kidneys, the nerves, the heart and blood vessels.
According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, diabetes is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines.
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, one form of diabetes is Type 1, or insulin-dependent diabetes. It is often referred to as “juvenile” diabetes, because it usually develops among children and teenagers, though it can develop at any age. With Type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks part of its own pancreas.
Typically, a person with Type 1 diabetes treats the disease by taking insulin injections. Through insulin injection, glucose can now be brought to the body’s cells. This treatment is an exacting balancing act, as it hinges on many factors including food, exercise, stress and emotional and general health.
According to Cheska Villanueva and Gina Javier, both Type 1 diabetes patients and members of Rainbow Camp, “Anyone can fall victim to Diabetes. Diabetic or not, we should all stand as one in our fight against it. The key is maintaining healthy lifestyle, discipline and taking the step towards achieving and maintaining blood sugar control”.
While the prevalence of diabetes continues to soar, medical experts and health organizations agree that there are still a lot to be done in terms of creating awareness on prevention and care of diabetic patients. Through the Health and Wellness Fair, organizations from private, business and health sectors gathered to make sure that despite the challenges, diabetic patients are still able to live a full life and it starts by taking the step towards achieving and maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. The whole day health and wellness fair ended with an Art Attack activity where each participant posted their pledges and messages to inspire them more in continuing their fight against diabetes.