Preventing Diabetes is a Family Affair

Summary

An op-ed by Janet Murguia, President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza

Full Text

One of the pleasures of being with family and celebrating holidays is to sit down together for a special meal. Family traditions, stories, and recipes are passed down to children at these gatherings. Such occasions also present an opportunity for parents and grandparents to teach their children about a serious risk in the Latino community – the risk of developing diabetes. How much food we eat, the type of food we eat, our weight, and our family history are critical elements in determining our risk for type 2 diabetes. Considering that nearly half of Hispanic children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, the family meal is the perfect place for parents to start sharing healthy eating and exercise habits.

Hispanic families in the U.S. are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic White families to struggle with diabetes, a serious condition that can lead to stroke, heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure. If left untreated, this illness can be fatal. Two million Latinos age 20 and older have diabetes, but only half of them have been diagnosed. All Hispanic adults – especially those who are obese, have relatives with diabetes, and do not exercise – should ask a health care provider to monitor their blood sugar levels and assess their risk of diabetes.

Even though Latinos have a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes, changes in our eating and exercise habits can lower our risk. The base of the Hispanic diet is rich in grains, fruits, and vegetables. We should take advantage of this and eat more of these foods and, of course, cook them in healthier ways. While frying is a common cooking method, switching to roasting or grilling can help people improve their health while still enjoying their favorite meals. And why not follow a meal with a fun family walk? Exercise does not have to be burdensome to have a positive effect – simply walking for 30 minutes would help boost your family’s ability to enjoy good health.

Before embarking on an exercise program or a new diet, the first step should be to get as much information as possible about the disease. There are many places to go and people to talk with – ask a doctor or nurse, visit a medical clinic or a community center, or get in touch with a promotor de salud, a community member trained to teach others in the community about diabetes. The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), for example, has a community outreach program called De Casa a Casa, which provides training and educational materials to promotores. Through this program, funded by Novo Nordisk, NCLR has trained 55 promotores who have provided information on diabetes prevention to more than 9,000 Hispanics in five cities across the U.S.

Type 2 diabetes is pervasive and can affect any of us. The Latino community is blessed with strong ties within our families and our community – sharing information about the risk of diabetes is a critical step in fighting this disease. As we commemorate Diabetes Awareness Month this November, we should remember that, with the right tools, we can prevent and we can control diabetes in our community.

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