Diabetes Awareness and Education

Diabetes Awareness Campaign Content

• Aim is to create engaging content to educate and empower individuals about diabetes prevention, management, and support.

General Information on Diabetes Types and Prevalence

• Global diabetes prevalence in 20–79 year olds in 2021 was estimated at 10.5% (536.6 million people), projected to rise to 12.2% (783.2 million) in 2045.
• Prevalence was similar in men and women, highest in 75-79 year olds.
• Higher prevalence in urban areas (12.1%) compared to rural areas (8.3%).
• Higher prevalence in high-income countries (11.1%) compared to low-income countries (5.5%).
• In Oman in 2021, 11.8% of adults aged 20-79 had diabetes (approximately one in eight).
• Approximately 445.6 thousand adults in Oman have diabetes, with 222.8 thousand undiagnosed.
• Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels.

Types of Diabetes

• Type 1: Immune system mistakenly attacks beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, leading to insufficient insulin production and requiring external insulin.
• Type 2: Body's cells become less responsive to insulin (insulin resistance). Pancreas initially produces more insulin, but eventually cannot keep up with the demand, leading to excess blood glucose.
• Gestational: High blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Hormones from the placenta can block the mother's insulin, which makes it difficult to regulate blood sugar.

Diabetes Risk Factors

• Modifiable: Diet (high calorie foods), physical inactivity, smoking.
• Non-modifiable: Age, sex, family history of diabetes, ethnic background. (Risk factors for gestational diabetes: gestational diabetes during previous pregnancy, birth of a baby weighing over 4kg, overweight or obesity, age over 25, and family history of Type 2 diabetes)

Diagnosis Criteria

• A1C test: Measures average blood glucose over 2 to 3 months. Diabetes diagnosed at A1C ≥ 6.5%.
• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test: Measures fasting blood glucose after an 8-hour fast. Diabetes diagnosed at FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL.
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Measures blood glucose levels after drinking a glucose solution. Diabetes diagnosed at a 2-hour glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dl

Insulin Resistance: Symptoms and Signs

• Muscle, fat, and liver cells don't respond well to insulin.
• Excess body fat especially around the belly, and lack of physical activity.
• Associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease, PCOS and type 2 diabetes.
• Common signs include darkened skin around armpits or neck, skin tags, slow healing cuts and sores, increased thirst, frequent urination, hunger, blurred vision, and headaches.

Gestational Diabetes

• High blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
• Increased risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery, and higher risk of type 2 diabetes later.
• Diagnosed through prenatal screening, not by symptoms.

Nutritional Therapy for Diabetic Patients

• Meal Planning: Tailored to individual eating habits, preferences, and metabolic goals.
• Individualized Nutrition Therapy: Working with registered dietitians for personalized recommendations.
• Focus on non-starchy vegetables, avoiding starchy vegetables, minimizing added sugars and refined grains, and prioritizing whole foods over processed foods .
• Key recommendations are to control portion sizes, include protein, whole grains, and lean proteins, and control carbohydrates.

Diabetes Monitoring and Self-Management

• Assess current dietary intake, personalize advice on carbohydrate monitoring, meal timing, medication and activity.
• Low-carbohydrate diets can be effective, but under medical supervision.
• Plate method is a helpful tool for meal planning to manage calories and carbohydrates.

Weight Management

• Essential for individuals with diabetes.
• A 5% reduction in body weight can improve blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Preventing and Managing Diabetes

• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake are important.
• Managing weight, stress, and blood glucose levels are essential.
• Regular exercise is also beneficial.

Diabetes Complications

• Cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, eye disease, neuropathy, foot complications, skin complications, and oral complications.
• Hearing loss is also linked to diabetes

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

• Life-threatening condition caused by an overload of ketones.
• Developing when body breaks down fat for energy, due to lack of insulin.