Diet and Exercise for Diabetes Patients

Jamaica and Diabetes

Part I

Country Selection: Jamaica

Three of the leading causes of death in Jamaica are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer (Anderson & Tulloch-Reid, 2019; Crawford et al., 2010; Ferguson et al., 2011. In fact, the Regional Health Promotion and Education Officer at the Western Regional Health Authority in Jamaica has reported that non-communicable diseases such as these are and have been the leading cause of death in the country for the past 30 years (Davis, 2018). Of these three, this paper will look in particularly at diabetes—but first it will discuss why all of them are a concern in Jamaica.

First off is cardiovascular disease, which is a significant concern in Jamaica. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are prevalent in the Jamaican population (Ferguson et al., 2011). In addition, lifestyle choices such as smoking and lack of exercise contribute to the problem (Crawford et al., 2010). Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Jamaica, and it is responsible for a large percentage of hospital admissions (Davis, 2018). The burden of cardiovascular disease on the Jamaican healthcare system is significant. The government has implemented various initiatives to address the problem, but more needs to be done to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Jamaica.

Second is cancer. In Jamaica, tobacco smoking is a significant public health concern (Crawford et al., 2010). And according to the data, nearly one-quarter of Jamaican adults are current smokers (Crawford et al., 2010). While the overall prevalence of smoking has declined slightly in recent years, rates among young adults have remained relatively steady. Moreover, there is evidence that Jamaicans who smoke are more likely to develop cancer than those who do not smoke (Crawford et al., 2010).

However, one of the biggest issues that contributes to non-communicable disease in Jamaica is diabetes (Cunningham-Myrie et al., 2013). Improper dieting and lack of exercise are two big reasons diabetes is such an issue in Jamaica and why it contributes to other problems like cardiovascular disease (Cunningham-Myrie et al., 2013). In fact, as Cunningham-Myrie et al. (2013) show, there are a number of factors that contribute to the high incidence of these diseases in Jamaica. One is the high level of poverty in the country. Poverty has been linked to a number of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Another factor is the high level of obesity in Jamaica. Obesity is a risk factor for all three of these diseases. And, finally, there is a lack of access to healthcare in Jamaica. This means that people with these diseases often do not receive the treatment they need (Cunningham-Myrie et al., 2013). As a result, their condition worsens and they are more likely to die from their disease.

These three diseases are a major problem in Jamaica. They are responsible for a significant portion of the mortality in the country. Poverty, obesity, and lack of access to healthcare are all contributory factors. But by tackling diabetes, Jamaica could begin to unravel the web of poor health that plagues the country’s populace. Diabetes was selected because it can be directly treated by focusing on diet and exercise, as Davis (2008) shows. All that is needed is for people to eat healthy, organic meals and take the time to engage in physical exercise. This will not only put them in a more health-conscious frame of mind but it will also reduce the risk of other non-communicable diseases developing. That is why diabetes has been selected as the focus of this paper.

References

Anderson, M., & Tulloch-Reid, M. K. (2019). “How am I gonna cope?”: Caregivers of

adolescents with diabetes in Jamaica. Chronic Illness, 15(4), 293-305.

Cunningham?Myrie, C., Younger?Coleman, N., Tulloch?Reid, M., McFarlane, S.,

Francis, D., Ferguson, T., ... & Wilks, R. (2013). Diabetes mellitus in Jamaica: sex differences in burden, risk factors, awareness, treatment and control in a developing country. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 18(11), 1365-1378.

Crawford, T. V., McGrowder, D. A., Barnett, J. D., McGaw, B. A., McKenzie, I. F., &

James, L. G. (2012). Tobacco-related chronic illnesses: a public health concern for Jamaica. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention, 13(9), 4733-4738.

Davis, B. (2008). Defeating Diabetes: Lessons from the Marshall Islands. Today’s

Dietitian, 10(8), 24.

Davis, G. (2018). NCDS Leading Cause of Death in Jamaica. Retrieved from

https://jis.gov.jm/ncds-leading-cause-of-death-in-jamaica/

Ferguson, T. S., Francis, D. K., Tulloch-Reid, M. K., Younger, N. O. M., McFarlane, S.

R., & Wilks, R. J. (2011). An Update on the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Jamaica. West Indian Med J, 60(4), 422.

NGO Letter

Creating Space for Life

Mary Phillips, Executive Director

5555 Fifty-first Street

Plain City, NJ 01012

Dear Creating Space for Life,

I am writing to introduce myself and to request your assistance in addressing diabetes in Jamaica. I am a concerned citizen and nursing student who has seen, firsthand, the negative effects that diabetes can have on individuals and families.

Diabetes is a serious issue in Jamaica. According to the most recent data, diabetes affects approximately 11.1% of the Jamaican population (World Bank Development Indicators, 2022). This number is expected to rise in the coming years, due to factors such as rising obesity rates and lack of parks and investment to support outdoors activity, play and exercise (Cunningham-Myrie et al., 2013). Diabetes can lead to a number of health complications, including heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness. In addition, diabetes is a leading cause of death in Jamaica.

Part of the big problem leading to the high prevalence of diabetes in Jamaica is the lack of health literacy on the topic and the lack of safe access to parks where people can recreate. Poverty and poor access to quality food items are other reasons: people there have gotten away from organic, healthy dieting, which is the cornerstone of health (Davis, 2008).

I am writing because I believe that through the promotion of healthy dieting and exercise, we can begin to address this problem in a meaningful way. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are important for everyone, but they are especially important for people with diabetes (Davis, 2008). Exercise and a healthy diet can help to control blood sugar levels and prevent these complications.

Your organization has a proven track record of success in addressing diabetes in other countries, and I believe that you can help Jamaica make progress on this issue there as well. I would be interested in discussing how you could provide support and/or sponsor a program to prevent and reduce diabetes in Jamaica.

I am also aware that Creating Space for Life has previously provided funding for a chronic disease prevention project. I would like to request specific support and/or sponsorship to address diabetes in Jamaica. The funds will be used to promote healthy dieting and exercise through public service announcements, school programs, and community events. I believe that this is a worthwhile cause and that your organization’s mission is connected to the described project. Additionally, I believe that your financial assistance will support the plan designed to address diabetes in Jamaica.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

References

Cunningham?Myrie, C., Younger?Coleman, N., Tulloch?Reid, M., McFarlane, S.,

Francis, D., Ferguson, T., ... & Wilks, R. (2013). Diabetes mellitus in Jamaica: sex differences in burden, risk factors, awareness, treatment and control in a developing country. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 18(11), 1365-1378.

Davis, B. (2008). Defeating Diabetes: Lessons from the Marshall Islands. Today’s

Dietitian, 10(8), 24.

World Bank Development Indicators. (2022). Jamaica—Diabetes prevalence. Retrieved

from https://tradingeconomics.com/jamaica/diabetes-prevalence-percent-of-population-ages-20-to-79-wb-data.html#:~:text=Jamaica%20-%20Diabetes%20Prevalence%20%28%25%20Of%20Population%20Ages,of%20development%20indicators%2C%20compiled%20from%20officially%20recognized%20sources.

Annotated Bibliography

Anderson, M., & Tulloch-Reid, M. K. (2019). “How am I gonna cope?”: Caregivers of

adolescents with diabetes in Jamaica. Chronic Illness, 15(4), 293-305.

This is a qualitative study that used focus groups to obtain a deeper and better understanding of the challenges of caring for someone with diabetes. As the researchers explain, challenges included keeping children healthy, managing conflict, and making good financial considerations in response to the medical needs of the patients. A big need was for assistance with diabetes education, support, and medical supplies.

The qualitative study was helpful in showing from a personal point of view how difficult it can be to manage diabetes when it is in the family. It is well-known that in order to effectively manage diabetes, it is important to monitor blood sugar levels, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Yet this study showed that people still need support, supplies, and training in managing emotions.

I would say that this study is very helpful in understanding the everyday reality of dealing with diabetes. It provides an up-close and personal perspective that quantitative studies simply cannot give. I would include this study for that reason into my research on this topic to show why intervention and support is needed for Jamaican families with regard to this issue.

Barrett-Brown, P., McGrowder, D., & Ragoobirsingh, D. (2021). Diabetes education—

Cornerstone in management of diabetes mellitus in Jamaica. AIMS Medical Science, 8(3), 189-202.

This study shows how teaching about diabetes is really the most important step in managing the disease. The researchers supply good evidence for why learning about the symptoms and early warning signs of diabetes complications can help people in Jamaica catch problems early, prevent risk, and get the treatment they need to reduce the potential serious health problems.

The study is well-founded on logic, evidence, and evidence-based practice. There is plenty of literature provided to support the framework of the researchers. The fact that the study is a cross-sectional study and uses statistical analysis helps to cement its case: there needs to be a combination of knowledge and willingness to comply with recommendations—and in many cases it was the compliance that was missing.

In order to improve compliance in Jamaican populations, health care providers need to be able to motivate patients, and that is something they can do through health literacy—but they also need to address some of the concerns described by Cunningham-Myrie et al. (2013) and Davis (2008), because as Barrett-Brown et al. (2021) point out in this study, it is not all just about knowledge, for there are also compliance factors that need to be taken into consideration.

Cunningham?Myrie, C., Younger?Coleman, N., Tulloch?Reid, M., McFarlane, S.,

Francis, D., Ferguson, T., ... & Wilks, R. (2013). Diabetes mellitus in Jamaica: sex differences in burden, risk factors, awareness, treatment and control in a developing country. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 18(11), 1365-1378.

This article explains how “neighborhood disorder, perceived neighborhood safety” can affect the onset of diabetes (p. 970). The researchers show that there is a relationship between neighborhoods where there is a high rate of diabetes and poor safety preventing people from exercising outdoors. The sample consisted of 2848 participants from Jamaican neighborhoods. The researchers analyzed data “based on aggregate interviewer responses to systematic social observation questions” (p. 970).

This was a strong study that showed how important it is to have safe neighborhoods and how unsafe neighborhoods can affect health and lead to problems like diabetes. It is well-documented in this study that living in an unsafe neighborhood can have a negative impact on health. Literature is cited showing that residents of unsafe neighborhoods are more likely to suffer from chronic stress, which can lead to a host of health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In addition, unsafe neighborhoods tend to have fewer resources like grocery stores and parks, which can make it difficult for residents to lead healthy lifestyles.

It appears true that living in an unsafe neighborhood can increase the likelihood of being a victim of violence, which can lead to physical and emotional trauma. This would be a good source of information for my research paper, and I will probably use it along with the study by Davis (2008) to support the intervention.

Davis, B. (2008). Defeating Diabetes: Lessons from the Marshall Islands. Today’s