Health Promotion: Diabetes - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages Among children and adolescents, this disease seems to have increased in incidence in recent years. Many countries have also registered increased diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, mostly among young children; and unfortunately, no known methods of prevention have been established for this health issue. Type 2 is a preventable type of diabetes through diet and exercise. Although its onset has been commonly seen among adults, its onset among children and adolescents has seen a recent rise (WHO). The increased inactivity and unhealthy diet among children and adolescents has also been apparent as the primary cause of this health issue. This paper aims to develop an understanding of the foundations which underlie the responses to diabetes among teenage girls. It also aims to develop an understanding of the strategies, activities, and processes employed in health promotion interventions which respond to diabetes among teenage girls. It shall first analyze the socio-ecological context of this health issue, and the intervention which can be applied to this issue. It shall also identify, analyze, and discuss the foundations underlying the selected intervention. And finally, it shall identify, analyze, and discuss the strategies, activities, and processes employed by the intervention in addressing the health issue. Body Socio-ecological context The worldwide epidemic of diabetes is largely based on adult and childhood obesity. Both genetic and environmental factors also seem to be playing an equally important role in the prevalence of this disease in our society. Studies also point out the disproportionate incidence of obesity among men and women, with women more likely to be obese during their childhood and teenage years, as compared to males (Kral). Genes which predispose a person to obesity have been identified by geneticists. These genes have been identified as related to functions which control hunger and satiety, as well as on the regulation of fat cell multiplication and cellular energy balance (Kral). Lifestyle factors are however the more common causes of obesity, which relate to high fat and cholesterol intake, as well as high sugar diet. The sedentary life of these adolescents also impact significantly on the prevalence of teenage obesity with most of their activities limited to watching TV, playing computer games, surfing the internet, and a limited involvement in physical education and sports activities in schools (Kral). Childhood and adolescent obesity, if unmanaged, can lead to adult obesity and to a host of other health issues. Childhood and adolescent obesity is especially disturbing as it has been known to cause various health issues including diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, and various cardiovascular diseases. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has predicted that diabetes will develop in one-third of all children born in 2000, related to the current prevalence of obesity” (Kral). Based on this context, one of the most appropriate ways to handle this health issue is to address the obesity and weight issues of teenage girls. Based on the discussion above, a significant contributor to adolescent diabetes is inappropriate diet and inadequate exercise. By reducing the weight of teenage girls, diabetes can be prevented and can be easily managed. An exercise support group can bring about an improved disposition among these ...Download file to see next pagesRead More