Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 9, 1 September 2003 — Hawaiians and diabetes [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiians and diabetes

^ Aloha mai kākou. My previous articles have touched on the subjects of nationhood and federal recognition, but these issues may mean very little if the population of Hawaiians grows smaller eaeh year. What could or would federal recognition do for a dying people? Without the possibility of living a full and normal life, what difference is any form of recognition? Hawaiians have some of the poorest health indicators in the state. We are a people who are both physically and mentally strong and must take care of our collective health. We will continue to prosper with the birth of many more Hawaiians to lead a nation of unique people with a culture unlike any other. To increase our population and life's longevity, "lifestyle" changes must be made. Obesity alone is killing Hawaiians at a high rate. And one of the leading diseases an obese individual faces is diabetes. Are you a Hawaiian with diabetes? It is very eommon these days to know a diabetic person, be it a

member of your 'ohana, a co-work-er, a neighbor, even a friend. I too, am a diabetic with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It ean be and is a serious disease. I have a form that was previously called "adult-onset" type 2. But, an alarming increase in children are being found to have T2DM. Research states that there are five major risk factors for the development of T2DM: family history, ethnicity, pubertal status, gender (female) and obesity. Of these it's argued that only the prevalence of childhood obesity has changed significantly, increasing by 36 percent between 1994 and 2000. In fact, rates of childhood obesity have reached epidemic proportions particularly among those populations at greater risk for developing diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) finds that 17 million people have diabetes in the United States. Approximately one-third of them are unaware that they are diabetic. The Native American Research and Training Center reports that "Approximately 70 to 90 thousand

of Hawai'i's native population have T2DM. Native Hawaiians have a diabetes-related mortality rate six times that for the general U.S. population Diabetes is a disease in whieh the body does not produce or properly use insulin - a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and laek of exercise play roles. There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1 (T1DM) diabetes, Type 2 (T2DM) diabetes and Gestational diabetes. T2DM is the most eommon form of diabetes. Approximately 90-95 percent of people with diabetes have T2DM. Generally this form of diabetes develops in adults age 40 and older and the majority of T2DM are overweight. T1DM diabetics tend to be children and young adults. Many T1DM diabetics rely on daily insulin shots to live because their bodies fail to produce insulin. The third type of diabetes, gestational

diabetes develops only during pregnancy. Complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease, amputations, dental disease, and eomplieations of pregnancy. So, how ean you eheek if you have diabetes? One option is to go to the American Diabetes Association's website at www.diabetes.org and take their "Risk Test." Of course it is always best to seek medical advice from your personal physieian to determine if you are diabetie so that appropriate tests ean be conducted, and appropriate medication, if required, prescribed. Become better informed and learn about a healthier lifestyle. Exercise, eat healthier and make food choices that will keep our bodies running stronger and longer. I invite your comments on the above or any other concerns within our purview. Phone 594-1854, fax 594-0210 and e-mail dantec@oha.org. A hui hou, aloha pumehana. ■

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Dante Keala Carpenter Trustee, O'ahu