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Residents are being urged to sign up for the 2KG Challenge. Residents are being urged to sign up for the 2KG Challenge. Featured
18 July 2024 Posted by 

WESTERN SYDNEY DIABETES: A CALL TO ACTION

Reasons why to BEAT DIABETES
THIS year marks the 10th anniversary of Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD), a pioneering initiative that has made significant strides in combating diabetes in the region.
 
Western Sydney was identified as a diabetes hotspot and Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) determined ignoring it was not an option with skyrocketing health costs and the massive social impact on sufferers and their family.
 
Almost 58% of adults aged 16 and over in Blacktown City are overweight or obese.  Even more alarming is that 30,341 children in Blacktown City are overweight or obese and on their way in being impacted by chronic health problems in the coming decades.  
 
Being overweight has a significant influence on developing diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and other chronic health diseases.
 
Across Blacktown City:
1 in 5 people visiting emergency, their local doctor or being treated in hospital HAVE diabetes.
1 in every 3 people are on the verge of becoming diabetic.
 
There are more than three times more people in postcode 2148 in Blacktown (7.3% of the population) with diabetes than postcode 2088 Mosman (2.2%) on the North Shore.
 
The 'Beating Diabetes Together' initiative was launched 10 years ago with Professor Glen Maberly from the School of Public Health at Sydney University with a clear mission to keep people healthy and slow the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes.
 
Over the past decade, WSD has worked tirelessly to support those at risk and those already living with diabetes so they seek additional support by visiting their GP. 
 
WSD has coordinated with over 140 partner organisations, including the Western Sydney Changing Diabetes Partners to address diabetes.
 
Stephen Bali MP, the NSW Member for Blacktown said: “Everyone in Blacktown knows someone who is suffering from diabetes from our extended family and friends network.
 
“It’s a silent pandemic because no one wants to talk about because weight is a major contributor and when you get it, it feels like you are at fault.
 
“The solution begins by firstly talking about diabetes and how it can impact on your life, and then secondly start doing something and it can be as simple as just doing a short walk.”
 
Prof Maberly agreed that public awareness of the problems associated with diabetes is low and that people don’t want to hear the horror stories of suffering as they believe it won’t happen to them.  
 
Prof Maberly said: “Diabetes is a major cause of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, leg ulcers, amputations, and blindness. It also doubles the risk of dementia, cancer, and mental illness.”
 
Western Sydney Local Health District has both a regional facility and a local facility based at Blacktown Hospital.  Patients generally spend many hours every few days on dialysis machines where blood, waste and extra fluid is removed from your body; sent across a special filter to remove harmful substances before pumping the clean blood back into their body.
 
Diabetes contributes to more than 4,400 amputations with the most common being the removal of toes, feet or legs. 
 
Mr Bali said: “The impact of dialysis, amputation, dementia or strokes not only impact on the sufferer but forces the family to change their way of life to support their relative.  From holiday plans to attending family events, your life will adversely changed. Together we can make a difference and hence the start with the 2kg Challenge.”
 
Prof Maberly said: “This initiative encourages residents to lose just 2kg and keep it off, which would prevent one in three people with prediabetes from developing diabetes.
 
“Additionally, losing 10% of body weight within six years of being diagnosed with diabetes has an 80% chance of putting the condition into remission. For those already managing diabetes, maintaining HbA1c levels below 7% can significantly reduce the risk of complications.”
 
The 2kg Challenge by WSD was quickly supported by Blacktown Workers Lifestyle Group together with Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, WentWest Primary Health Network and Diabetes Australia are inviting all residents to join the challenge.
 
Prof Maberly has created an inspiring song that underscores our collective effort to fight diabetes, is available on our website and the 2kg Challenge site.
 
Diabetes is a shared challenge, and it requires a collective effort. Join us by spreading the word and acting. Together, we can make a difference and create a healthier future for everyone in Western Sydney.
 
By joining in, you are improving the health of your mother, father, brother, sister, children or your extended family.
 
Mr Bali MP said: “Lets start with losing 2kg and see where it takes us.”
 
For more information and to join the 2kg Challenge, visit https://2kgchallenge.com.au/  Let’s take up the challenge and continue our journey towards a diabetes-free Western Sydney.


editor

Publisher
Michael Walls
michael@accessnews.com.au
0407 783 413

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