Whilst the article is interesting, the media themselves are the ones who have done little to help Type 2 diabetics.
We have all been stereotyped by the media as couch potatoes who sit all day and scoff food so why would anyone think that diabetes is a serious illness?
We are told by the media that it is reversible if we eat healthily and exercise so how would the average person know that it is not that simple?
We have had a post recently from a Type 1 diabetic who does not want to be associated with couch potatoes and wants a name change. Says it all really.
So what is the difference between the New Statesman and the Daily Mail? The New Statesman says:
“Much like HIV, a significant proportion of new diabetes cases can be prevented. You can be unlucky, but there are ways of reducing the likelihood of developing the illness. The rise of Type 2 diabetes has been linked to rising obesity in the UK, so tackling under-nutrition and sedentary lifestyles is key.”
Less sensationalism? Of course, you read tabloids and you should know what to expect. The key word here is, and always will be prevention. Forget reversible. Much like HIV, there are ways to significantly reduce the amount of people developing the condition and people need to focus on these and not who thinks what or who says what. Education is the way forward and that needs to start in school. Educate kids that a number of factors can lead to diabetes and educate them what the most significant risk factors are. If the number one risk factor is obesity then tell them that, don’t shy away from it and blame it all on stereotypes.
“We have all been stereotyped by the media as couch potatoes who sit all day and scoff food so why would anyone think that diabetes is a serious illness?
We are told by the media that it is reversible if we eat healthily and exercise so how would the average person know that it is not that simple?”
This quote is to me one of the reasons our country is in such a state. Reduce everything to the lowest common denominator. Some people don’t pick up their dogs mess on a beach so ban all dogs. Average people can be educated, think for themselves and capable of forming a reasoned opinion
