Diabetes in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Diabetes in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Type II Diabetes Background

What is it?

The body turns food into sugars, therefore blood sugar is highly influenced by diet.  Type II Diabetes is when blood sugar is at a higher level than normal. The pancreas is an organ that releases a hormone called insulin, which influences the levels of blood sugar in one's body. The body does not use insulin properly, therefore Type II diabetics are said to be insulin resistant.

Symptoms:

• Excessive urination
• Excessive thirst
• Irritability
• Blurred vision
• tingling or numbness in the hands and feet

Prevention:

• BE ACTIVE (around 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week)
• EAT HEALTHY (lots of fruits and vegetables)
• stress management
• adequate amounts of sleep
• no smoking

Statistics

This chart shows how chronic diseases in the U.S. Virgin Islands compare to the U.S. as a whole nation. Diabetes is the only disease in which the average in the Virgin Islands is more than the national average. This means that the rate of Diabetes in the Virgin Islands is too high and preventative actions should be taken. 

"Wheel Out"

November is celebrated as Diabetes month in order to provide knowledge and bring awareness to the increasingly common disease. The biggest event during this month is the "Wheel Out" bike ride, encouraging everyone to be active and live a healthy lifestyle.

For more information visit the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health website at www.healthvi.org.

References:

American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.diabetes.org/?loc=logo

Diabetes. (2015, August 18). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/home/index.html

Type 2 Diabetes Directory: Find News, Features, and Pictures Related to Type 2 Diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-directory

U.S. Virgin Islands’ Diabetes Crisis: Today and Future Trends. (2011). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.altfutures.org/pubs/diabetes2025/US_VIRGIN_ISLANDS_Diabetes2025_Overall_BriefingPaper_2011.pdf

United States Virgin Islands Department of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.healthvi.org/index.html

Virgin Islands. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://conditions-prevalence.healthgrove.com/l/48/Virgin-Islands

Virgin Islands Demographics. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.vimovingcenter.com/statistics/