The Anguilla Diabetes Association staged a walk from the Ronald Webster Park area to Shoal Bay Beach as part of a week of activities to sensitise members of the public about the disease and ways in which to combat it.

Diabetes Awareness walk at Shoal Bay

President of the Association, Nurse Lynneth Rogers, described the walk last weekend as a very successful undertaken in that it involved the participation of a large number of persons from various parts of the island.

Nurse Rogers emphasised the importance of exercise in the fight against diabetes. She urged all persons on the island suffering from the condition to pay attention to such matters as diet, taking of their medication and various common ways of exercise including regular and purpose-driven walks.

Diabetes Awareness walk at Shoal Bay

Coordinator of Health Promotion and Nutrition, Vernice Battick, said that in order to adequately manage diabetes, it was imperative that diabetics stuck to a diabetic diet, exercise and taking of medication daily. She stated that the Diabetic Association-sponsored walk was an excellent opportunity for diabetics to participate in a fun physical activity.

“Walks and other physical activity are essential for diabetics as exercise helps to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range,” she continued. “It also helps the diabetic to keep their weight under control and for overweight or obese diabetics to lose excess weight.

“Physical activity can also improve the ability of the muscles of the body to respond to insulin which helps more glucose to get into the cells. If that happens on a regular basis, glucose control should improve.

“In addition, exercise strengthens the heart, increases “good cholesterol and reduces stress. It is therefore very important not only for diabetics but for all of us to increase our daily physical activity.”

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