Fight diabetes through health and wellness
One hundred diabetic kids from the patient support groups namely Rainbow Camp, Phil. Society of Pediatric Metabolism and Endocrinology Camp (PSPME), Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation, Inc. (PCDEF), Dialysis PH and the Diabetes Association of Camp Crame, Inc. gathered at the health and wellness fair held at SM Megamall’s event center last May 16.
Participants of the event took part in a halfday program promoting better nutrition and lifestyle. The event was held to showcase a day in the life of a Type 1 diabetes patient through a series of activities and presentations from health, fitness and nutrition partners that seek to create awareness on the effective ways to fight diabetes and to correct misconceptions surrounding it.
Tonipet Gaba hosted the event while celebrity nutritionist and diet and fitness guru Nadine Tengco, known to be a diet coach to the stars, showed the audience how to prepare healthy and nutritious meals.
According to her, the common misconception about diabetes is that when the doctor says diet, it’s about losing weight; but it’s actually about regulating what you eat and the eating habits because food is not an enemy but a solution. Bounty Fresh, Sunnywood Rice, Jertie’s Kitchen, Nestlé Fitnesse, Parkour and Curves were among the health partners who had booth set-up in the area. Diabetes Nurse Educators had an insulin area as well where participants and even other mall-goers were able to have their blood sugar test. Diabetes is a serious, chronic metabolic disease characterized by an increase in blood sugar levels associated with long-term damage and failure of organ functions, especially the eyes, the kidneys, the nerves, the heart and blood vessels.
According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, diabetes is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines. Through the Health and
Wellness Fair, organizations from private, business and health sectors gathered to make sure that despite the challenges, diabetic patients are still able to live a full life and it starts by taking the step towards achieving and maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. The event ended with an
Art Attack activity where participants posted their pledges and messages to inspire them more in continuing their fight against diabetes.