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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience a higher risk of disease than that of other Australians. A large part of the burden of disease is due to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and chronic kidney disease.
The incidence of diabetes in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is 10 times higher than in the general population.
The good news however is that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions can be reduced by earlier identification, and management of risk factors. Losing weight, having a healthy diet and exercising have been proven to prevent or delay the onset of people developing type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle Modification Program
Due to the high risks that Indigenous Australians have of developing type 2 diabetes, the age range for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders for a program is 15-54 years of age. Some general practice networks have designed lifestyle modification programs specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
To find out if your local general practice network offers an Indigenous Lifestyle Modification Program or other Indigenous health programs please click here.
Food tips
Following the below diet tips can greatly decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. Combining these diet tips with regular exercise is crucial for weight loss success*.
Enjoy a wide variety of foods:
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits
• Eat whole grain breads, rice and pasta
• Include lean meat, fish and chicken, including low fat options of these meats
• Drink plenty of water
Take care to:
• Limit saturated fat
• Reduce the amount of overall fat you consume daily
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Cut back on the amount of sugar and foods containing added sugar you eat
For more information on food and nutrition please click here. Alternatively you can visit your Aboriginal Health Service or local GP for more information.
* source National guide to a preventive health assessment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, August 2005
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