First Nations and diabetes facts for kids
Many First Nations people in Canada have a higher chance of getting diabetes. This is especially true for type 2 diabetes. For example, in 2011, about 17.2% of First Nations people living on reserves had type 2 diabetes.
Several things can cause this higher rate. These include lifestyle choices like diet, and also genetic factors. It's a mix of different reasons.
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Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
Not long ago, type 2 diabetes was very rare in First Nations communities. But in the last 20 years, the number of cases has gone up a lot. About 17.2% of First Nations people on reserves have type 2 diabetes. This is much higher than the 5.0% found in other Canadians.
This means that First Nations people are 3 to 5 times more likely to have type 2 diabetes. The disease also shows up differently in First Nations people. For example, it often starts at a younger age.
Diabetes in Young People
Diabetes is now affecting younger First Nations people more and more. This means they have to deal with the disease and its problems for a longer time. In other Canadians, type 2 diabetes usually starts when people are much older.
For First Nations people, new cases of diabetes are most common between ages 40 and 49. For other Canadians, it's usually after age 70. When diabetes starts earlier, it can cause more serious health issues. For women, it can also increase the chance of their children developing diabetes later on.
Diabetes in Women
First Nations women have a higher risk of getting diabetes. This is especially true for women between ages 20 and 49. They are four times more likely to get diabetes than other women. They also have higher rates of gestational diabetes during pregnancy. About 8–18% of First Nations women get gestational diabetes, compared to 2–4% of other women.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that happens only during pregnancy. It is different from type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Most women with gestational diabetes return to normal blood sugar levels after their baby is born. If their blood sugar stays high, they will then be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes can affect both the mother and the baby. It can make the baby more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. It can also cause the baby to be born with a higher body weight. A higher birth weight can also increase a child's risk of developing diabetes.
Checking for Diabetes
Doctors use tests like the fasting plasma glucose test to check for diabetes. Because diabetes is more common in First Nations people, doctors suggest more frequent check-ups. This helps to find diabetes early and manage it better.
Instead of checking every three years, First Nations adults who are at higher risk should be checked every one or two years. Young people over ten years old who are at high risk should also be checked. This is very important for First Nations youth, as diabetes can start at a younger age for them.
Government Programs
The Government of Canada has programs to help improve the health of Aboriginal people. One important program is the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI). It started in 1999 and has continued for many years.
The ADI aims to lower the number of people with type 2 diabetes. It does this through health campaigns and activities. These activities are run by trained community health workers and professionals. The ADI focuses on several key areas:
- Helping communities promote healthy living and prevent diabetes.
- Screening people to find diabetes early and help manage it.
- Training health workers and professionals in communities.
- Sharing knowledge about diabetes to help everyone learn more.
The program also includes healthy living activities for children, youth, and families. It helps with diabetes during pregnancy and supports communities in planning for healthy food. It also provides extra training for health professionals.
See also
- National Aboriginal Health Organization
- Indian Health Transfer Policy (Canada)
- Population history of American indigenous peoples
- Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada
- Obesity in Canada
