World Diabetes Day event informs 130 Limavady participants about healthy lifestyles

Limavady Primary Care Multi-disciplinary Team held a successful Pre-diabetes information and healthy lifestyle event in the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady on World Diabetes Day.

The World Diabetes Day event on Thursday, November 14 provided an opportunity at a local level to raise awareness about diabetes as a critical global public health issue.

New figures released by the Department of Health indicate an 11.4% increase in the number of people registered with pre-diabetes in Northern Ireland, an estimated 73,500 people. 

Patients were encouraged to attend the Pre-diabetes Information and Lifestyle Event to reduce their risk of becoming diabetic.
Maureen Duffy, GP Practice Based Senior Social Worker for Quinn and Brolly, and Roe Family Practice welcomed the opportunity to discuss pre-diabetes and lifestyle choices.

“We had a great local response and approximately 130 patients attended to listen to speakers discussing what Pre-diabetes is and how to reduce the risk of becoming diabetic,” she said.

“We also had an inspirational patient talking about his personal journey and how he improved his health and wellbeing by making good lifestyle choices.”

Maureen asserted that her role within Primary Care is about early intervention and preventive work.

“Pre-diabetes is on the rise and research indicates that lifestyle changes such as diet, nutrition and physical activity can effectively reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

“The aim of the event was to make patients aware that through information and education they can live healthier and happier lives.”

The event gave the many interested participants the opportunity to listen to a range of expert speakers on health and activity improvement and the relationship with diabetes.

A number of speakers took to the lectern to provide medical and lifestyle information to attendees.

Local GP ST3 Registrar Dr Darren O'Hagan discussed what it means to be 'pre-diabetic' whilst other speakers discussed interventions to reduce the risk of becoming diabetic.

Camilla Lowry, Health Improvement Physical Activity Lead for WHSCT, suggested types of exercises and discussed the benefits of activity for adults including older adults and the availability of local exercise facilities.

Susan Stewart, Clinical Holistic Nutritionist and Author of ‘Intermittent Fasting, No Diets Involved’ outlined the advantages of intermittent fasting as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Inspirational speaker and patient Gareth Scott, talked about his personal journey and how he improved his health and wellbeing, and reversed his pre-diabetes by making health-conscious changes and good lifestyle choices.

The message of the event was to emphasise that pre-diabetes is on the rise and informing those affected how to reduce their risk of developing diabetes.

Author and speaker, Susan Stewart commented on the event: “Thank you to everyone, I absolutely loved it and received such great feedback; it was amazing to be there and to meet so many incredible people.

“It was an honour to be part of this.”

The theme for World Diabetes Day this year was wellbeing, to ensure that everyone with diabetes has the chance to live well.

A new global survey conducted by the International Diabetes Federation revealed that 77% of people living with diabetes have experienced anxiety, depression or another mental health condition.

This year’s World Diabetes Day put out a call for people to get involved and support action for wellbeing to be placed at the heart of diabetes care.