Effective Diabetic Preventive Programs for Adults at Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - Assignment Example

Effective Diabetic Preventive Programs for Adults at Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Bahrain Effective Diabetic Preventive Programs for Adults at Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Summary The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has lately reached alarming levels. It has even risen in the children populace, in which it hardly existed before. However, it remains a wonder why the public knows so little about it. This lack of information about it is now a global issue, especially so in the Arabian countries, where its prevalence is highest. Public sensitization is such a major policy issue to the address of type-two-diabetes that it should not be taken for granted. Campaigns need to be carried out in forms of road shows, and the media. This would be an integral move towards achieving every kind of success in addressing the non-communicable disease. Creation of awareness ought to be the most initial action because of the promising rewards it holds to the prevention and reduction of diabetes frequencies. Significance of the problem Diabetes mellitus has over the years risen up to be a major global health concern. The prevalence of this disease has unremarkably been highest in the Middle East. Therefore, concerns over the number of disabilities and premature deaths occurring as a result, have equally increased. Research shows that a lot of money is used for diabetic-related action; including insulin shots used to regulate the blood sugar levels, awareness and sensitization. (Dagogo, 2006) These funds could be put into other uses if a control mechanism were established to regulate and reduce its levels of prevalence. For this reason, diabetes economically weighs down the countries in which it is prevalent. This amount is considerably too much if viewed from the point of view that the prevention of diabetes involves simple practices of changing lifestyles and regular exercising. (Badran & Laher, 2012) Root Causes Though other factors such as genetics also make a contribution to the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the Arabian countries, most of it is caused by the spurt in economic development within these countries over the last three decades. (Badran & Laher, 2012) Economic growth, on the other hand, led to rampant mechanization ultimately leading to a drop in physical activity. (Roses, 2010) Physical inactivity serves as a risk factor to diabetes mellitus II, aside from predisposing one to obesity and hypertension, both of which are complications associated with the disease. Urbanization has also been identified as the leading factor to the prevalence of diabetes mellitus II in the Middle East as it makes people prone to sedentary lifestyles and change in diet. Nutritional factors play a major contribution to the development of the disease within these countries and it is related to obesity, increase in body mass index (BMI) and ultimately to other predisposing chronic diseases. Existing approaches Current policy options/approaches Increase levels of physical activity and good diet Screening for cardiovascular risks Proper management of the disease Creation of awareness Increase levels of physical activity and good diet There has been action towards ensuring a majority of the population resume and remain physically active. This has been ensured by having physical education programs within schools to take care of childhood obesity as a way of limiting the disease amongst children. Good diet, bulk in fruits and vegetables, is also being adopted by most schools. Nutritionists should be hired to plan work and school menus as a way of ensuring they meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). This approach is advisable to be assimilated in these environments as a way of reaching the highest populations of people as possible so as to increase prevention and control of diabetes mellitus II. This approach is a very well calculated one mainly because it is going to reduce the consumption of fast foods that most people prefer when away from home. (Badran & Laher, 2012) It will sediment favourable lifestyle amongst the majority of the population, who may as a matter of fact influence others who the approach may not have reached, into this safe lifestyle. It is also a measure to reduce the intake of fats and sugary drinks, which mostly accompany fast foods. Screening Screening is vital for early detection and prevention of diabetes mellitus II. Discovery of cardiovascular risks is also possible via the same. Proper management of the disease Proper management is a move necessary to keep track of complications from the disease if any and take diagnosis of them in time. Such complications include amputation, stroke, blindness and heart attack. Proper infrastructure is at the juncture of being placed to facilitate the routine checks such as regular screening, screening for cardiovascular risks and detection of diabetic-related complications. Likewise, more people get encouraged to pursue professionalism in this area. This approach may be costly in terms of maintenance of technology, but a large population would benefit from it. The efficacy of service would increase as more people get access to routine screening. Creation of awareness Public sensitization about diabetes is necessary for the information to diversify amongst all populations. It would serve to improve the efficiency of disease management and control efforts. An aware population is most probably to be more cautious and responsive to preventive measures. Solution After careful evaluation of the available approaches, it is agreeable that the best of the approaches is to increase the level of physical activity and to maintain a good diet. This approach seems innovative enough because it is so effortless, natural and devoid of financial restraints. It is bound to save the economy of Bahrain a lot of funds that it can use for other national concerns. Given the financial strain Diabetes mellitus II puts on families, a lot of reliefs would be felt even at a personal level. Besides, this solution bears almost no demerits yet it brings plenty of health benefits to the affected. There will be increased levels of fitness amongst the Bahrainis, which comes with longer life spans. (Badran & Laher, 2012) This approach will lower the occurrence of risk factors amongst the Bahraini population. It also does lower the risks of diabetic-related complications and other predisposing chronic diseases such as hypertension and heart disease. (Khatib, 2006) Lastly, this approach would reduce the occurrence of risk factors amongst the Bahraini population. Considering the nature of this approach; involving almost everyone, it would be best implemented at the community/grass root level. (Dagogo, 2006) Everyone should make it their responsibility to ensure they maintain physical fitness and a good diet. Bahraini local government can give a hand into the success of this approach by ensuring that there is easy access to sporting grounds for those who may prefer it as a way of exercising. Higher in the scale, the Ministry of Health should formulate regulations concerning the levels of sugar usable by companies to refine food products. References Al-Mahroos, F., & McKeigue, P. (1998). High prevalence of diabetes in Bahrainis: associations with ethnicity and raised plasma cholesterol. Diabetes Care, 21(6), 936--942. Badran, M., & Laher, I. (2012). Type II Diabetes Mellitus in Arabic-Speaking Countries. International Journal Of Endocrinology, 2012, 1-11. doi:10.1155/2012/902873 Dagogo-Jack, S. (2006). Primary prevention of type-2 diabetes in developing countries. J Natl Med Assoc, 98(3), 415-419 Diabetes: the Hidden Pandemic and its Impact in the Middle East and Northern Africa. (2010). MENA Diabetes Leadership Forum 2010, Dubai, 6-10. Exploring the Growing Challenge of Diabetes across GCC and within the United Arab Emirates. (2014). Delivering Results That Endure, 1(1), 6. Khatib, O. (2006). Guidelines for the prevention, management and care of diabetes mellitus. Cairo: World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Relationship of body size and shape to the development of diabetes in the diabetes prevention program. (2006). Obesity (Silver Spring), 14(11), 2107-2117. doi: 10.1038/oby.2006.246 Roses Periago, M. (2010). Securing a diabetes-free border. Rev Panam Salud Publica, 28(3), 137. Sanchez, A., Silvestre, C., Sauto, R., Martinez, C., & Grandes, G. (2012). Feasibility and effectiveness of the implementation of a primary prevention programme for type 2 diabetes in routine primary care practice: a phase IV cluster randomised clinical trial. BMC Fam Pract, 13, 109. doi: 10.1186/1471-2296-13-109 World healt Organization, Food Agriculture Organization. (2002). Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. Report of a joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation, 9. Read More