OH! Magazine - Australian Version November 2018 | Page 25

BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT
DIABETES
Diabetes Victoria sorts the fact from the fiction around
this ever-growing condition.
iabetes is one of the most
misunderstood health conditions.
To clear the public confusion about what
is and isn’t true, Diabetes Victoria is
launched the Bust a Myth campaign
earlier in the year, to help debunk the
most common myths around living with
diabetes.
D
‘Diabetes-related stigma is a very real
issue for most Victorians living with
diabetes. Being questioned whether or
not they can eat certain foods or being
blamed for developing diabetes only
adds to the pressure of managing and
living with this complex health
condition,’ says Diabetes Victoria CEO
Craig Bennett.
‘There are three main types of diabetes:
type 1, type 2 and gestational,’ explains
Mr Bennett. ‘Each type of diabetes has
different underlying causes and may be
best managed with different strategies.
However, once you develop diabetes, you
will have to manage the condition every
day for the rest of your life. There is a
great need to raise awareness about this,
in particular.’
‘We need to bust common myths about
diabetes to help Victorians become more
knowledgeable about the condition,’
says Mr Bennett. ‘Our Bust a Myth
campaign gives us the opportunity to
raise awareness about all types of
diabetes
and
the
myriad
of
misconceptions
surrounding
each.
People from all walks of life can develop
diabetes and we need to ensure these
people are supported – instead of being
stigmatised – because we too often hear
things about diabetes that are simply
not true,’ Mr Bennett adds. Myth: People only get diabetes if they are
overweight
Five commonly misunderstood diabetes
facts are: Myth 5: People with diabetes can’t do
certain jobs
Myth: People with diabetes can’t eat sugar Fact: Some decades ago, there were many
restrictions on the careers that people
with diabetes could have. But times have
changed,
and
so
has
diabetes
management.
Fact: People with diabetes can eat what
everyone else can eat. People with
diabetes do not need ‘special foods’ and
there is no need for a zero-sugar diet.
Fact: Being overweight can be a risk factor
for type 2 diabetes, but people with
diabetes look like everybody else –
they come in all shapes, sizes, ages,
gender identities and ethnicities.
Click here to watch a video
Click here to watch a video
Click here to watch a video
Myth: People with diabetes can’t play sport
Fact: As well as keeping fit and having
fun, exercise is good for people living
with diabetes, as it can help reduce the
risk of diabetes-related complications.
Click here to watch a video
Diabetes Victoria
Diabetes Victoria is the leading charity
and peak consumer body working to
reduce the impact of diabetes in the
Victorian community. Diabetes Victoria
supports, empowers and campaigns for
all Victorians affected by, or at risk of,
diabetes. To find out more visit
bustamyth.org.au or diabetesvic.org.au
Myth: People with diabetes don’t live long
lives
Fact: Once diabetes has been diagnosed,
you will have to manage the condition for
the rest of your life. But this doesn’t
mean that it will be a short life.
Click here to watch a video
OH! MAGAZINE ( NOVEMBER 2018 )
25