Response to the Failure of 'Diabetes Get Checked'

Media Release
New Zealand Society of Naturopaths
17th September 2011
Response to the Failure of the government funded Diabetes Get Checked programme

The NZ Society of Naturopaths believe that the ineffectiveness of the management of diabetes as demonstrated by the recent decision to stop the Diabetes Get Checked[1] programme, is due to a lack of recognition of the importance of making strict dietary and lifestyle changes.

The programme had little emphasis on diet (dietary advice where given was based on advice suggested by the Clinical Guidelines for Weight Management in New Zealand Adults[2])

Dietary advice was to encourage rather than insist on changes.

For example “reduce as much as possible and try to avoid energy dense takeaways, fast foods and fried foods” and “reduce as much as possible and try to avoid energy dense snacks, eg, potato chips, snack bars, buttered popcorn, biscuits, cake, and ice cream” and “reduce as much as possible and try to avoid sugary drinks, eg, fizzy drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks, and flavoured drinks/cordials”.[2]

A NZSN spokesperson said “this is like saying to someone with lung cancer “try to reduce smoking as much as possible” although it could be argued that this is good advice, it really does not help the person with lung cancer understand that smoking causes and exacerbates cancer. A direct focused message such as “stop smoking completely” gives the person a far greater prognosis”.

The NZSN says that when people with type 2 diabetes are given clear messages regarding diet and nutrition such as “STOP energy dense takeaways, fast foods and fried foods” and “AVOID energy dense snacks, eg, potato chips, snack bars, buttered popcorn, biscuits, cake, and ice cream” and “AVOID sugary drinks, eg, fizzy drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks, and flavoured drinks/cordials” they will have a far greater chance of reducing blood sugar levels and improving all the health problems associated with type 2 diabetes.

The programme did not promote other important aspects of nutrition such as the role specific nutrients have in helping to stabilize blood sugar levels.

In addition the NZ Society of Naturopaths believes that clearer more focused messages should be given regarding exercise and lifestyle.

References
1. Get Checked Programme [http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/diabetes-getchecked]
2. Ministry of Health CTRU: Clinical Guidelines for Weight Management in New Zealand Adults. In. Edited by Ministry of Health N. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health; 2009.http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/clinical-guidelines-for-weight-management-in-nz-adults
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