World Diabetes Day: Research and E. Daily physics in schools
In 2024 the focus proposed by the WHO and the IDF is “Breaking barriers, closing gaps”, which seeks to reinforce the commitment to reduce the risk of diabetes and guarantee that all people diagnosed have access to equitable, comprehensive treatment and care. , affordable and quality. Experts highlight the importance of detecting metabolic dysfunction long before the disease appears, along with adding exercise as a regular practice.
Every year the World Health Organization (WHO) defines a topic to address the World Diabetes Daywhich since 1991 has been commemorated every November 14 in conjunction with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). In 2024 the focus is “Breaking barriers, closing gaps”which seeks to reinforce the commitment to reducing the risk of diabetes and ensuring that all people diagnosed have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable, quality treatment and care.
The Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes (SOCHED) also highlights an important alert in this version: After the pandemic, there has been a global delay in achieving coverage and meeting therapeutic goals for this disease.. Therefore, it is imperative to move forward to reverse these indicators and prevent secondary complications.
This involves promoting early diagnosis without generating anxiety, empowering people with diabetes to establish therapeutic goals that minimize the risk of complications, and providing support against the fear and depression that can accompany this condition.
Type 2 diabetes, the most commonly recognized form in adults, is a chronic condition closely linked to overweight, obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. It represents around 80-85% of cases worldwide, also in Chile. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects children and young people. In this case, the immune system mistakenly attacks the beta cells of the pancreas, responsible for producing insulin, making these patients dependent on insulin for life.
Francisco Pérez Bravo, director of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA) of the University of Chile, warns that “at the global level there is no country that shows a decrease in the numbers of the two main forms of diabetes.”. In Chile, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has reached 14%, according to data presented at the XXV Chilean Congress of Endocrinology and Diabetes. This figure represents an increase compared to the 12% recorded in the last National Health Survey 2017. That 2% is a very high number of people. Additionally, we see a worrying increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children. A study carried out in 2021 by Dr. Hernán García from the Catholic University showed that the incidence of this disease went from 11.7 to 20.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between 2006 and 2021.”
This increase in type 1 diabetes is linked to both environmental and genetic factors, with theories including possible influences of viral infections on the development of this autoimmune condition.
The INTA director adds that “if we review the recommendations of international organizations, such as the WHO, the PAHO or the IDF, we observe a constant call to prevent diabetes from the prediabetes stages. This involves promoting changes in environmental factors, such as reducing obesity and overweight, encouraging physical activity and establishing healthy eating patterns, which act as key preventive measures.”.
Importance of research and physical education in schools
As type 2 diabetes affects more young people, pediatric specialists highlight the need to detect metabolic dysfunction long before the disease appears, along with adding exercise as a daily practice.
The Dr. Raquel Burrows, child endocrinologist and senior professor at INTApoints out that currently the cut-off points for diagnosing prediabetes or diabetes in children are the same as for adults, which is inadequate: “Diabetes involves lifelong expenses and treatment and when it is diagnosed late it is difficult to reverse the damage. Diabetes, generally expected in adults, now occurs at younger ages, largely due to the increase in obesity in recent decades. Obesity accelerates biological aging and advances the appearance of this disease. As it appears at younger ages, we see that a chronologically young child or adolescent can have an advanced biological age.”.
The specialist adds that “one of the conceptions that still persist in current medicine is the belief that the absence of disease is synonymous with health. And it’s not like that. Between health and illness there are many years of dysfunction and that is where we must investigate the problem: what we would have to do is evaluate the functioning of the beta cells, which are the ones that end up being damaged, but this study is not available in the clinical practice. We do it, but in research projects.
Type 2 diabetes represents a significant medical and economic burden on families and governments. For this reason, emphasis is placed on promoting a healthy lifestyle at an early age and also including daily physical education in schools, to reduce risks and improve the quality of life of future adults.
Dr. Burrows points out that “Regular physical activity not only helps prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes, but also improves academic performance. Children should have Physical Education every day in their schools. But what is the counterargument that the educational system often gives? That takes away time for other branches. Many studies, including ours, show that by exercising children receive greater oxygenation in the brain, which promotes neuronal renewal and dendritic organization, key aspects for cognitive improvement and learning.”
Some key facts about diabetes, from the WHO:
- Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented through a healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight, and avoiding tobacco use.
- Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes and lower limb amputation.
- Diabetes can be treated and its complications can be avoided or delayed with regular screening and treatment.
