ISA online awareness campaign for World Diabetes Day 2021
Brussels, 10th November 2021: The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) is excited to renew its support to World Diabetes Day (WDD) on 14th November for the tenth consecutive year, joining the call to action from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to raise awareness about the need for greater “Access to Diabetes Care” now and around the world.1
Why access to diabetes care is key
It is estimated that 537 million adults are currently living with diabetes (1 in 10) and millions more are at risk of developing diabetes. Importantly also, it is predicted that by 2030 the number of adults living with diabetes will rise to 643 million, and to 784 million by 20452. With WDD 2021 marking the centenary of the discovery of insulin, it presents a unique opportunity to bring about meaningful change for the people living with, or at risk of, diabetes. It is therefore important, today more than ever, to ensure that each one of us has access to proper diabetes care and is sufficiently informed about diabetes prevention and management.1
What access to diabetes care includes: ISA campaign for WDD 2021
Actually, access to diabetes care involves several aspects, among which are access to healthy food and a safe place to exercise. With this in mind, this year’s ISA digital campaign, available below and by clicking here, consists of a series of four engaging animated videos and insightful video interviews with members of the European Specialist Dietetic Network (ESDN) for Diabetes of the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD).
Focusing on the nutrition aspect of diabetes care, this campaign provides an overview of what healthy food includes for people with diabetes, as well as why it is key for them to have access to healthy food, nutrition education and care, which are fundamental components of diabetes care and prevention.1 Looking into the need for greater access to accurate information about food and diet, the campaign further highlights the crucial role Dietitians-Nutritionists can play in this context.
As Dr Haris Dimosthenopoulos, RD, MMedSci., PhD, lead of EFAD’s ESDN Diabetes, tells the ISA: “Access to healthy food means that all people with diabetes, globally and at all times, can enjoy safe and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and individual dietary needs for an active and healthy life.” This includes daily intake of vegetables and fruit, whole grains in meals, preferring low-fat protein foods and healthy fats, as well as low-sugar foods and beverages, including those with low/no calorie sweeteners. In fact, when used to replace sugar in foods and drinks, low/no calorie sweeteners offer people with diabetes broader food choices by providing the pleasure of sweet taste without affecting blood glucose control.3,4,5
Developed with the scientific support of the EFAD’s ESDN Diabetes, the ISA campaign has further been endorsed by nutrition and diabetes organisations including the Brazilian diabetes association6 (ANAD), the Brazilian Association of Diabetes Educators7 (ANBED), the Colombian Diabetology Federation8 (FDC), the Mexican Diabetes Federation9 (FMD), the Brazilian Federation of Diabetes’ Organisations10 (FENAD) and the Brazilian Society for Food and Nutrition11 (SBAN).
We invite you to watch the compiled videos here below and to spread the word on social media about better diabetes prevention and care by sharing these materials with your family, friends and colleagues.
Engage with the ISA campaign for World Diabetes Day 2021 on social media by using the dedicated hashtags #ISA4WDD, #WDD2021 and #IfNotNowWhen.
Follow @SweetenersAndU, ISA Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and subscribe to the ISA YouTube channel to find out more about this campaign and to advance your knowledge on what can be done to prevent or manage diabetes!
More information about ISA activities for World Diabetes Day is available here.
