By PAT MELGARES
K-State Research and Extension news service
The Kansas Department of Health and the Environment estimates that more than 240,000 Kansans have Type II diabetes, a form of the disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin – or doesn’t use insulin properly – resulting in high blood sugar levels.
Perhaps a more sobering statistic: More than 60,000 people in Kansas don’t even know they have the disease.
“Those are cases in which the disease has not been diagnosed,” said Christina Holmes, a family and consumer sciences specialist in K-State Research and Extension’s southeast regional office. “I consider that an opportunity for education.”
Listen to an interview by Jeff Wichman with Christina Holmes, Franny Eastwood and Chelsea Richmond on the weekly program Sound Living.
Holmes is one of the organizers for the statewide Dining with Diabetes course that is offered online and in-person through Kansas extension offices.
Holmes said the course focuses on such areas as carbohydrate control, portion control, physical activity and things people can do to reduce their likelihood of developing diabetes.
“Individuals that have diabetes can attend this course just to learn about what they can do differently,” Holmes said. “It's also an opportunity for support and engagement so they don't feel alone in this process. It’s also open to caregivers, family members and anyone in their support system. It's really important not to navigate this diabetes process alone, so (caregivers) can learn how to care for their loved one, or how to prepare meals differently so everyone can have healthier lives.”
K-State family and consumer sciences extension agents Franny Eastwood and Chelsea Richmond are among several who have received training to teach the course.
“It’s broken down into one session a week for four weeks, with a follow-up session several weeks later,” said Eastwood, who is in K-State’s Marais des Cygne extension district. “So, completing the course is really up to each individual and how quickly they want to go through the information.”
Richmond, who is in K-State’s Frontier extension district, said the course focuses on living well with the disease.
“There are meal planning tips that participants can walk through, as well as cooking demonstration videos with diabetic-friendly recipes," Richmond said.
Additional sessions include information on carbohydrates and sweeteners and what a full plate of food should look like. The course also covers ideas for eating outside the home, such as restaurants.
“It’s great practical information for anyone, but it’s not just for the pre-diabetics or the Type II diabetics,” Eastwood said. “It’s something that we all can use for good health.”
More information on the course and registration is available online. The registration fee is $25. The primary portion of this course begins on Nov. 18.