It’s almost an estimate 1.9 million Australians Diabetes is a growing number of people living with diabetes. Total number of people known to be living with diabetes nationwide between 2013 and 2023 32% increase.
As in the case of a range, health conditionDiabetes disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Australia’s indigenous people are 3 times more likely They are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians. they are The probability is 4.4 times to die from it.
Among other factors, physical activity plays an important role in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. However, our new research Australian Medical Journalshows that we do not know enough about the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes in Indigenous peoples.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition with the following symptoms: too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. There are different types, but the most common is type 2 diabetes. among people with type 2 diabetesthe body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
risk factors for type 2 diabetes These include having a family history of diabetes, being overweight, and having high blood pressure.
High diabetes rates in indigenous communities are largely influenced by: social determinants of health. For example, we know food insecurity It disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in rural and remote communities. This can make it difficult to maintain a healthy diet and affect your overall health.
people inside remote indigenous communities It also often includes educational and employment opportunities, adequate housing, quality medical care. All these factors can lead to poor health.
Indigenous communities are particularly high rate Early-onset type 2 diabetes (usually defined as a diagnosis) before turning 40).
If diabetes is not effectively managed, the following symptoms may occur: various complicationsincluding long-term damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and feet. Diabetes can affect every aspect of your life. mental health.
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Lifestyle interventions (diet and physical activity) are generally recommended as part of the treatment plan. For type 2 diabetes.
We specifically wanted to understand how physical activity interventions could help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes.
our research
There is also ample evidence that it plays a role in preventing diabetes exercise is beneficial For those who have already been diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Physical activity is associated with decreased levels of: glycated hemoglobin Blood (an indicator of blood sugar control), reduction in blood lipids such as cholesterol, and weight loss. Evidence suggests a combination of Aerobic and resistance exercise May be better than either mode alone.
We reviewed studies examining the effectiveness of physical activity interventions and programs in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes in Indigenous Australians.
what we found is 9 studies Studies examining physical activity interventions to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes in Indigenous adults.
There was some evidence that physical activity was linked to better outcomes in Indigenous Australians with type 2 diabetes. However, the value of the research findings was affected by flaws in the research design and lack of Indigenous involvement in research design and implementation.
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Gap in quality evidence
Diabetes prevention and management has many facets and tends to be more difficult for indigenous communities, especially those in rural and remote areas.
New technologies are also emerging to help manage diabetes. continuous blood glucose monitorare often very expensive.
Access for Indigenous Australians with diabetes is critical. proper diabetes supporteducation and services.
In particular, health, cultural, and socio-economic disparities can influence participation in physical activity. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the practical opportunities for physical activity may be different than for other Australians.
Previous data shows Indigenous Australians are less likely to meet Physical activity recommendations than non-Indigenous Australians.
Factors that may influence Indigenous people’s physical activity intake include access to safe, accessible, family-friendly, and inexpensive places to exercise. These may be limited in regional or remote communities.
Read more: How a culturally-based care model helped Indigenous patients with heart disease
Overall, we found that there is a lack of reliable data on whether and what types of exercise are beneficial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with type 2 diabetes. .
Given that physical activity is the cornerstone of type 2 diabetes management, more rigorous research is needed in this area. These studies must be well designed and culturally appropriate. We need to involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at all levels of the research process.
Targeted research will help determine the best approach to increase physical activity and understand its benefits for Indigenous people with type 2 diabetes.
