Unraveling the Link between Diabetes and Physical Activity
In a bid to combat the growing issue of diabetes and promote healthier lifestyles, the Participatory Science Platform (PSP) in New Zealand is making significant strides in health science education and research. The PSP, funded by the New Zealand Government, is playing a pivotal role in promoting diabetes awareness and physical activity among young people.
The PSP's approach is multifaceted, focusing on embedding metabolic health awareness and assessments into school curricula through transdisciplinary, culturally responsive partnerships. This approach aims to foster engagement, knowledge, and healthier behaviours among youth.
One such initiative is the Y9 Metabolic Health Programme, which has integrated metabolic health assessments, including blood glucose measurement relevant to diabetes, into school learning curricula. The programme was developed with careful consideration of student feedback, educators’ concerns about privacy and weight stigma, and was designed using culturally appropriate co-design involving multiple stakeholders.
Recently, students from Manurewa High School's Health Science Academy embarked on an innovative study, exploring the links between physical activity, obesity, and diabetes. They researched two lifestyle components - diet and exercise - and involved their school and local community in both components.
As part of their study, the students conducted blind taste tests of modified versus traditional ethnic foods at their school health expo, with 80% of participants willing to make the change to the modified, healthier recipes. They also created displays and pamphlets about diabetes, healthy eating, and the sugar levels in soft drinks for the expo.
In addition, the students designed physical activity interventions, developed a participant survey, and collected heart rate data using Fitbit heart rate trackers. They were advised that to see real heart rate change, participants needed to reach the target at least four times per week for a minimum of 30 minutes.
The Manurewa High School Health Science Academy project received funding from the South Auckland pilot of the Participatory Science Platform (PSP), a programme funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The study was resourced through the PSP, and the students visited the Liggins Institute's LENScience to learn about calculating target exercise heart rate from Dr Silmara Gusso.
The Diabetes New Zealand Auckland Branch Mobile Awareness Service was on site during the expo to offer diabetes testing and advice. The students will share their research findings with the local community, visiting Manurewa Marae and local churches to run exercise sessions and spread information about diabetes, healthy eating, and active lifestyles.
Diabetes is a significant health concern in New Zealand, causing about half of all heart attacks, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputations, and a third of all strokes. It is more prevalent in Pacific (15%), Māori (10%), and Asian (8%) populations compared to people of European descent. In New Zealand, it's estimated that over 250,000 people have diabetes, with type 2 diabetes affecting over 200,000 and type 1 diabetes affecting about 25,000.
For more information about diabetes, diet, and exercise, visit the Diabetes New Zealand website. The government's national strategic plan for Science in Society, A Nation of Curious Minds - He Whenua Hihiri i te Mahara, is a government initiative jointly led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Ministry of Education, and the Office of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor. The South Auckland pilot of the PSP is managed by COMET Auckland, a council-controlled organization of Auckland Council and an independent charitable trust.
The PSP's work is a testament to the power of community-engaged programs in promoting health science education and research. By empowering young people with the knowledge and skills to make healthier choices, the PSP is contributing to a healthier future for all New Zealanders.
[1] Source: Participatory Science Platform (PSP) website, accessed on 15th March 2023.
- The Y9 Metabolic Health Programme, part of the Participatory Science Platform (PSP), integrates fitness-and-exercise and health-and-wellness by conducting research on the links between physical activity, obesity, and diabetes, encouraging students to foster healthier behaviors.
- The PSP, through its partnerships, also focuses on science education, developing initiatives like the Diabetes awareness expo where students investigate the importance of diet and exercise in controlling diabetes, demonstrating a strong commitment to science and health-and-wellness.
