Intervention Program for Middle-aged and Older Women Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in Hillsborough County, Florida

Intervention Program for Middle-aged and Older Women Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in Hillsborough County, Florida
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University Introduction
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. When the body suffers from this disorder, the body resists the effects of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. This is the most common type of diabetes. This type of diabetes amounts to 90 percent of all the diagnosed cases of diabetes in the world. The disease is mostly common in adults and children with obesity (Thomas, 2013). Although type 2 diabetes is a chronic and common illness, it is largely preventable. For those already diagnosed with the condition, it can be managed by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Type 2 diabetes is an inherited disorder. People whose parents suffer from the condition are very likely to get the disorder too. Genes count for a large percentage of the contribution to the disease. Lifestyle, however, is the largest cause of diabetes. The disease is known by some people as a disease of the rich. The name comes from the fact that consumption of fatty and sugary foods contribute to obesity, which in turn encourages the development of obesity. Consumption of these foods in excess contributes to the disorder manifesting itself. The people who suffer from the disorder have a very high waist to hip ratio or are obese. In some few cases the disease is caused by certain medical conditions that increase the risk of the disease (Schulze et al 2004).
The symptoms of the disorder include frequent urination which is accompanied by thirst, increased feeling of hunger, and loss of weight. Other symptoms of the disease include fatigue, bulled vision, and areas with darkened skin and slow healing of sores. In the early years no symptoms are manifested. The only way that one gets to know is through testing (Schulze et al 2004).
There are several preventive measures for diabetes. The main measure is by eating healthy foods. It is very important to regulate what we eat. At all costs one should avoid taking in a high amount of fatty foods. Fatty foods will lead to increase of fat in the body which will lead to obesity or one being overweight. Consumption of sugary foods should also be regulated. This is because what one eats affects the amount of sugar in the blood. Healthy foods are a way of reducing the onset of diabetes. One should dump refined sugar and start consuming whole gain carbohydrates. Research has proven that whole grain carbohydrates make it more difficult the digestive enzymes in the body to break the starch into glucose. Eating whole grain carbohydrates means that that the body has a slow but constant intake of glucose. This results to the pancreases having less stress to produce insulin which may help in reducing the risk of diabetes. The whole grain foods also contain essential vitamins and minerals that help reduce the risk of diabetes (Ezrin & Kowalski 2011).
Sugary drinks are the second group of foods that one should avoid. The regulation of drinks such as sugary soft drinks and fruit juices also helps in prevention of manifestation of the disease. Diet soda should also be avoided as research has shown that diet soda also leads to an increase of the disease but only if taken in excess. It is advisable that one should substitute such drinks with water, coffee or tea (Ezrin & Kowalski 2011).
The other measure that one should take is to substitute red meat and processed meat for other proteins such as white meat (rabbit, poultry and fish) and nuts. It is evident that red meat such as pork beef and lamb increases the chance of contacting diabetes even in moderation. The same was also observed in people who consume processed foods such as hot dogs and bacon. Red meat contains a high iron content that reduce the functioning of insulin. It’s important to change these meats for healthier foods to reduce the chance of diabetes in the body. Research has also proven that intake of healthy oils such as omega oils (found in fish) may help to reduce the risk of diabetes (Ezrin & Kowalski 2011).
Controlling of weight is the first step to preventing diabetes. The most effective way of controlling weight is through physical exercise. Physical exercise helps in helping the body to use insulin to absorb insulin. The exercised involved does not have to be strenuous or done for a long time. Simple exercises such as taking a half an hour every day goes a long time in the controlling diabetes. Exercise helps in the lowering of blood sugar level. This is because during exercise the body muscles use a lot of energy thus lowering the risk of diabetes. Physical exercise also helps people to lose weight. Diabetes is known to manifest in people who are overweight or obese. It’s important for one to control weight. Weight gain will lead to an increased chance of suffering from diabetes so exercise is very important (American Diabetes Association 2008).
Community Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in the U.S
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the United States is worryingly high. It affects nearly 26 million people, 7 million of whom are undiagnosed and might be unaware of their status. In adults aged 20 years and above, the prevalence is 1 case in 10 people. Older persons are the most affected with a prevalence rate of 1 case in every 4 persons. The most recent statistics indicate that type 2 diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death from disease in the U.S., and costs the taxpayer $58 billion yearly in indirect costs resulting from lost manpower, disability and death (John Hopkins Medicine, 2013).
Poor management of diabetes is the major contributor to long-term complications such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, male impotency, and blood vessel infections that may result in an amputation (Joslin Diabetes Center, 2008). Findings from a ten-year period shows that keeping blood glucose at manageable levels can reduce the risk of these complications by fifty percent or more (Joslin Diabetes Center, 2008).
Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes among American Women
Type 2 diabetes affects more than 12.6 million adults (aged 20 years and above) women in the U.S. (Diabetes Sisters, 2012). Pregnancies are among the major factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes in women. About 18% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes, 10% of which result in Type 2 Diabetes. In women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, the chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes are increased by 35-60% within the next 10-20 years.
The focus on women for the community intervention program is influenced by the high prevalence rates of the condition among women and the unique social/family implications it portends. It mostly affects women from minority racial groups, with prevalence rate of between two to four times higher among Hispanic, Black, and American Indian women than among white women (Diabetes Sisters, 2012). It is also estimated that the population of women from minority racial groups will grow at a higher rate than the general U.S. population, which will potentially increase the number of women diagnosed with the condition. In terms of coronary heart disease, it is a more common factor in women than men. The quality of life in women is also poor compared to men, and the prognosis of heart disease is usually worse among females compared to their male counterparts.
Middle aged women (45-64 years) and those aged 65 years and above are the most affected, affecting 3.8 million and 4 million women respectively. Type 2 Diabetes is the leading cause of death among this group in the U.S.
Education is another factor in women with type 2 diabetes. Statistics from 2000 indicate that one in every four middle aged women had low-level formal education, while 1 in every 3 came from a low-income household.
Finally, overweight women rarely exercise regularly. Statistics show that about one-half of women aged 20 years and above are overweight, and only less than a quarter engage in regular physical exercise.
Community Level Indicators
Heart disease and related complications are the major cause of death in Hillsborough County. There are 1.2 million people in the county (2010 figures). The county experienced 2, 756 deaths from cardiovascular disease in 2009, of which 1, 517 as a result of coronary heart disease and 421 were related to stroke (Hillsborough Health Dept., 2012). Obesity and diabetes were identified as the major risk factors of heart disease. Between 2007 and 2009, there were an annual average of 5, 574 hospitalizations associated with diabetes and obesity.
Overweight women are the most vulnerable group mainly because they do not engage in regular physical exercises. According to the County Behavioral Risk Factors Survey (B RFSS) in 2007, the major risk factors were being overweight, physical inactivity, high blood pressure and cholesterol content. For instance, 71 % of the county’s residents did not engage in regular physical exercise, 39 % were overweight, and 74% did not consume sufficient fruits and vegetable diets, of which women were the majority (Hillsborough Health Dpt., 2012). These statistics suggest that women are at a higher risk exposure status than women
These factors; the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in women, high risk exposure due to pregnancies, lower socio-economic status of affected women, and low physical activity, make them a potential target group for the prevention intervention program. Moreover, as housewives, educating women about managing diabetes is likely to have a positive impact in the rest of the family by implementing healthy diets for the household and encouraging children to engage in physical activity.
Objectives of the Intervention Program
The major aim of the program is to develop an intervention plan to help overweight middle aged and older women diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in Hillsborough County, and those at risk of developing ...