Attitudes to sugar must change
Surrounded by other health providers, a kapa haka stage and lots of korero, it was a relaxed vibe at Waitangi this year. A queue formed to get tested for type-2 diabetes, heart disease and emphysema in smokers. It struck me that the scene was different to what it may have been last year, let alone last century, with health and wellbeing now centre stage. These days, people want to know their numbers.
Centuries ago, locals worked hard to get their kai. Pigeons, fish and shellfish took energy to hunt and gather. They burned calories and perhaps those of us with low metabolic rates survived best. If you could store fat in lean times you lived. Now, with an abundance of food and calories, the tables have turned.
One young woman was drinking a certain bright blue coloured energy drink associated with a certain high– profile sports team. Her HBA1C (a blood test and marker for type-2 diabetes) was slightly elevated. She was horrified to discover her so called ‘‘electrolyte healthy drink’’ was loaded with nine teaspoons of sugar. Another woman had an HBA1C of 113, almost three times the normal range of 40. Completely unaware she had fullblown type-2 diabetes, she thought her tiredness, blurred vision and passing urine frequently were just normal for her age. While it came as a shock to her, she was grateful we’d picked up her diabetic condition and she could now do something about it before her body turns on her completely.
After a day of working in the heat to try and stem the tsunami of preventable diseases, the crew were happy but exhausted. Later, as we packed up a message over the loudspeaker reverberated across the grounds. ‘‘Thanks for all those who have helped today, make sure you come and get your treats, candy floss, chips and fizzies.’’ After a day of measuring bloods and suggesting people eat less sugar, salt and fat, one could have burst into tears.
Times like this highlight why we need system and attitudinal change. We need to take sugar out of the ecosystem or, at the very least, stop encouraging it.
Healthy Families Far North is working hard to make a difference. Other Healthy Families teams around the country are trying to do the same. From smokefree marae in Northland to healthier sausage sizzles in the south, the system is slowly changing. Hopefully, it won’t be too late and will keep people out of the Emergency Department so they can enjoy many more Waitangi Days.
After a day measuring bloods and suggesting people eat less sugar, salt and fat, one could have burst into tears.
Dr Tom Mulholland is an Emergency Department Doctor and GP with over 25 years’ experience in New Zealand. He’s currently a man on a mission, tackling health missions around the world.