Prevention of Type Two Diabetes by Diet - Essay Example

'Prevention of Type Two Diabetes by Diet' is a wonderful example of a paper on metabolic problems. 
The most appropriate point of entry and methods for an intervention designed to address the health problem

Prior to identifying the entry points, we have to find out what are the fixed and changeable negative factors and have to compare the effectiveness and the feasibility of those changeable factors towards the prevention of the disease. Further, we have to find out the most suitable intervention at each community level (i.e. Individual, family or extended family, neighborhood or community) for each factor.

Fixed factor/s;

1. Genetic predisposition: Nothing can be done to change this factor in the current context (Savage, 1979 & National Institute of Health)
2. Generalization of the diseases: Cannot be changed

Changeable factors; comparison of the effectiveness

1. Belief in Indigenous treatment: This is an ethical issue where we cannot say anything against until the ineffectiveness is proven.

2. Tend to find partners of the same culture: We can explain the cumulative genetic effect when the people of the same genes get married but it is a highly personal matter to interfere.
3. Resistant to change the current diet and physical activity level; According to the vast number of studies including clinical trials, next to the genetic factors diet and physical activity are the major determinants of diabetes. Further, it has been found the disease can be easily prevented or delayed by making changes in diet and activity level (Bazzano, 2005).

4. Farming is no longer supported; this has an indirect effect on the disease. Farming increases physical activities and consume more energy than current occupations that they engage in (Morris, 2004). Further, it increases the availability of unrefined healthy foods such as beans, vegetables, fruits, etc. among the Pima Indian community (currently they intake refined wheat products animal fats, etc). Therefore facilitate farming might be helpful. However, this is not an easy intervention and need to integrate resource providers

5. Professional healthcare: early detection of pre-diabetes helps to prevent or delay the full-blown disease.

Entry points

-Therefore diet and physical activity

-Facilitate farming

- and Screening would be successful entry points.

Intervention to change the diet and physical activity level

At the Individual level: It is obvious that no one wants to have diabetes and they are afraid of the complications. The individuals can be educated about the healthy diet (i.e. low fat, less refined, high dietary fiber). School students also should be educated by the curricular.

School students can be provided with sports facilities and can be given bonus marks for sports participation.

At the Family or Extended Family level: Family should be educated and encouraged to cook and eat healthy foods. Further, they should be encouraged for home gardening which increases both physical activity and availability of healthy foods.
The Neighborhood or Community: Accessibility and the availability of healthy foods should be increased in the community. Healthy foods can be given for a subsidized price.

Sport facilities such as health training centers, gymnasium, and swimming pools can be provided to the community for low-cost membership.

Intervention to Increase farming activity.

At the Individual level and the Family or Extended Family level: Families should be given lands, low interest loan facilities, seeds, water, and agriculture extension service for farming.

The Neighborhood or Community: Encourage engaging in farming buying their yield for a good price.

Intervention to increase the use of professional health care.

At all levels: A free, mandatory diabetic screening program can be introduced for teens and adults in the community.

Conclusion: In the above health problem causative factors and preventive methods are well identified. The preventive methods are behavioral, practical and can be educated by simple awareness programs. For the sustainability required facilities should be provided.