How Pro-Vision is Helping Students Beat Diabetes
The rate at which diabetes is increasing in America is nothing short of astonishing. From 2010 to 2012 alone the number of people in the country diagnosed with diabetes grew from 25.8 million to 29.1 million. Another 86 million people had pre-diabetes, which is when a person’s blood glucose level is elevated but not yet at what would be considered diabetes.
It is a disease that can affect anyone at any age, however, it is most prevalent in people over 64 years old, and African Americans, Alaskan Natives/American Indians and Hispanics a more likely to become diabetic. Because of these factors Pro-Vision is on a mission to make sure every student understands the risks and how to reduce their chances of getting diabetes.
What is Causing the Rise in Diabetes
In 2010, diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S., and that is based on numbers where the presence of diabetes was under-reported. Diabetes is not just an inconvenience that has to be managed. It’s a life-threatening disease that can cause debilitating problems like kidney failure and blindness.
The rate at which both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are increasing in the U.S. is alarming. The sharp increase in type 2 diabetes, accounts for about 90% of diabetes cases, is in large part due to poor diet and the effects of obesity. Type 2 diabetes occurs because tissue develops a resistance to insulin, which is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.
Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes can be present at birth, and it’s harder to explain why it is this disease is becoming more common across the globe. People with type 1 diabetes have a genetic condition in which their immune cells destroy the pancreatic cells that make insulin. Even though people can be born with the condition, it may not become apparent until later in life. One theory for the rise in childhood type 1 diabetes is that the disease is simply becoming symptomatic at an earlier age. Why this is isn’t clear, but some medical professionals say environmental factors could be at play.
Earlier onset means people will have more severe health issues earlier than previous generations. That is why it is crucial for kids and adults to gain a better understanding of diabetes and start taking the steps to live a healthier lifestyle.
How Pro-Vision is Helping Students Overcome the Diabetes Epidemic
Pro-Vision charter school cares about nothing more than the health and education of our students. These two focuses are combined when we help students better understand what diabetes is and how it can be avoided by living healthy. We take these valuable life lessons outside of the classroom with two of our extracurricular programs. In addition, Pro-Vision has incorporated their Health and Wellness Policy and you can follow the attached link to see a copy of the policy https://www.provision-inc.org/educational-information/.
Manhood Development Program
Young men learn many lessons during their time in the Manhood Development Program, chief among them is taking responsibility for the decisions they make in life. Awareness about diseases like diabetes as well as the importance of healthy eating and exercise are all a part of the program. Currently, this program is being supported by a CDBG grant through the City of Houston, Housing and Community Development Department.
Urban Farm
The Urban Farm at Pro-Vision Academy is all about teaching students and participants about how beneficial healthy eating can be and helping them create good food habits. These kinds of lessons can help students avoid developing type 2 diabetes later in life. A diet that includes fresh produce has many health benefits, and can encourage students to make better choices like reaching for a piece of fruit instead of processed, sugary candy.
If you would like to help keep our students healthy by volunteering with one of these Pro-Vision programs contact us today!
Image Source: ingimage.com/imagedetails/38465270_extInt0/02E65867-Ingimage-African-American-single-parent-family
Original Source: https://www.provision-inc.org/community-service/pro-vision-helping-students-beat-diabetes/