A recent report from the Canadian Diabetes Association is predicting some alarming statistics for Manitoba this year. Canadian Diabetes Association regional director for Manitoba Nunavut Andrea Kwasnicki outlines the picture.

"I guess overall the prevalence of diabetes is growing in Manitoba. We are estimating a growth of 121,000 people for 2016. Which means that almost 10% of our population, and more than 28% Canada wide."

She describes their work in the fight against Diabetes.

"Our mandate includes education service, and advocacy. We provide education communities. We work with our healthcare professionals promoting healthy lifestyles; knowing also that it is a self-manageable disease, by taking care of yourself and ensuring that you are keeping active and making healthy food choices."

Kwasnicki explains some are more prone than others. "There are certain people that have a higher genetic risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One of those being our Aboriginal as well as our African, Asian and Hispanic. And obesity rates are higher in our first nations population. 74% of adults and 43% of children are overweight or obese."

After the program was stopped a few years ago, she notes the A.D.I. program has recommenced.

"We lobby for support for our first nation people. And the federal government was kind enough to offer a long term funding for the A.D.I. program, which is Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. These people are committed. There's somebody assigned on each reserve focusing on diabetes, and helping the community manage and promote healthy food choices and physical activity. Together with the work that we're doing, as they all work with the communities and promoting the healthy lifestyles and the healthy food choices amongst first nations, I believe we can help reduce the burden."

She notes, "A.D.I. was reinstated. Part of our national advocacy asked the federal government (I sit on the national advocacy committee) to reinstate the A.D.I. funding for first nation communities. They committed to that this past year with the federal election. It is ongoing. There was a risk of A.D.I. funding being cut off, and through our efforts of advocacy it was reinstated. So, it has not stopped. There are individuals on each reserve in Manitoba committed to providing diabetes support to the community."

Healthy food choices is obviously a luxury or a privilege to afford, she notes. So, if the socio-economic levels are lower, chances are they are going to be eating less fruits and vegetables, and instead the more readily available high-starched foods which will fill a person's belly. Kwasnicki says in such cases pastas are more prominent, as well as potatoes, and rice, as opposed to healthier salads and vegetables.

There are three types of diabetes. Type 1 most commonly begins in childhood when the body doesn't produce insulin. More common is the type 2 diabetes when the pancreas can't produce enough insulin, or the body doesn't effectively use the insulin that is produced. Type 3 is gestational diabetes that temporarily occurs during pregnancy, and usually is absent after delivery. Mothers and children involved in the pregnancy are prone to develop type 2 diabetes later in life when this temporary form of the disease strikes.

Ten million Canadians live with the disease. It causes 30% of strokes, 40% of heart attacks, 50% of kidney failure, 70% of all non-traumatic limb amputations, and loss of vision and blindness. Type 1 is currently incurable, but type 2 can be prevented or delayed with weight control, healthy eating and physical activity.

Further information can be found at their website: www.diabetes.ca