Diabetes is a growing problem in Canada, and Health Canada officials are trying to figure out why. According to Statistics Canada, rates of diabetes have increased nationally since 2011. Researchers are trying to understand why this is the case so they can develop better treatments for people with the disease. Here are just some of the things that may be going wrong:
According to Health Canada’s Statistics Canada, rates of diabetes have increased nationally since 2011.
According to Health Canada’s Statistics Canada, rates of diabetes have increased nationally since 2011.
In fact, the number of Canadians diagnosed with the disease has risen by nearly 30 per cent since 2012—a trend that has been seen across all provinces and age groups. And while the rate is still considered low overall (about three per cent), it’s still higher than what was experienced 20 years ago.
The data shows that men and women between ages 25-44 are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than those older or younger than them: in 2015 there were 11 per cent more cases among women than men; whereas among those under 25 years old there were twice as many cases for females compared with males
Diabetes is a leading cause of death in Canada, and the incidence is increasing rapidly.
Diabetes is a leading cause of death in Canada, and the incidence is increasing rapidly. Risk factors for diabetes include:
- being overweight or obese
- a family history of diabetes (if you have one parent with Type 2)
The causes of diabetes are many, but can often be traced back to lifestyle choices like diet and exercise. Treatment involves managing blood sugar levels through diet and medication; however, prevention is important too because people who develop type 2 diabetes later in life tend not to respond as well when treated with drugs or surgery. Signs that someone may have developed diabetes include excessive thirst followed by frequent urination; weight loss despite an increased appetite; feeling tired if they exercise regularly; blurred vision even after sleeping soundly at night—these may all indicate high blood sugar levels
Researchers are trying to understand why this is the case.
- Why is this an issue?
Diabetes is a serious condition that causes high blood sugar levels and can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. It affects millions of Canadians, including children and teens.
In 2016/2017 there were just over 300 thousand diagnoses among Canadian youth aged 0–19 years (about 1 in 10), compared with about 180 thousand in 2011/2012 (about 1 in 15). The number has more than doubled since then—but still only makes up 1% of all diabetes cases reported by provinces across Canada.[1]
- What are we doing about it?
The Canadian Government has committed $147 million over 5 years towards research on Type 2 Diabetes.[2]
A few things may be going wrong with people’s diets.
- Dietary changes.
- Increase in fast food.
- Increase in processed food.
- Sugar intake has increased, along with saturated fat intake (the “bad” kind).
- Fibre intake has decreased since the late 1970s and early 1980s; this could be a result of changes in diet as well as an increase in physical activity.
People may be eating too many simple sugars and refined grains.
- Simple sugars and refined grains are bad for you. These include sugar, honey and maple syrup.
- Refined grains include white bread, white rice, white pasta, and white flour.
People may be eating too little fibre, or not enough fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains.
The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends that you eat at least 15 g of fibre per day. Fibre is found in fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
The body uses fibre to help control blood sugar levels by slowing down how quickly the digestive system digests food. This slows down the amount of glucose (sugar) released into your bloodstream after eating—which helps keep you feeling fuller longer and reduces cravings for sugary foods such as candy bars or cakes. Fibre also helps lower cholesterol levels by removing fatty acids from your body’s tissues; this makes it easier for them to be excreted through urine or stool (faeces). Fibre may also lower blood pressure because it can reduce inflammation caused by high cholesterol levels; this decreases stress on the heart muscle which can lead to problems like heart disease over time if left untreated.”
Obesity rates can affect the diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes, and they are up across the country.
Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and it’s also been linked to an increased likelihood of developing other health conditions. The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) has stated that obesity can affect the diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as its treatment.
According to CDA figures from 2016:
- Over one-quarter (28%) of Canadians between 20 and 79 years old were overweight or obese in 2016-2017; this represents an increase from previous years’ measurements at 24%.
- About 70% of Canadians who are overweight or obese are also considered ethnically diverse—meaning they have roots outside Canada’s shores—and many live in urban areas with higher rates of poverty than rural regions (which tend to be less wealthy).
Obesity among men has increased significantly in the last 15 years.
- Obesity among men has increased significantly in the last 15 years.
- Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
- It is also linked to other health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cancer.
Conclusion
Canada’s diabetes rates are rising, and so are the rates of obesity. Health Canada officials are concerned about this trend, but they don’t have many answers yet. It will take more research to understand why people are getting sicker and why we need better prevention strategies.
