MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

ABSTRACT:
Type II diabetes is no longer a disease of middle-aged individuals. As of 2012, approximately 208,800 Americans under age 20 had diagnosed type II diabetes. Diabetes is a disease of insulin, where the hormone is ineffective at target tissues. As a result, diabetics have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Hyperglycemia can lead to complications such as impaired vision, skin damage, and neuropathy (nerve damage). With the disease’s increasing prevalence, young adults (ages 15-25) must be cautious of their health. Moreover, The American Diabetes Association warns that diabetes progresses more aggressively in the youth. In this patient guide, I discuss major risk factors for diabetes: family history, obesity, and genetic factors. While these individuals cannot control their genetics and family history, obesity can be managed with proper diet and adequate exercise. For individuals diagnosed with diabetes, many treatment options still exist. Diabetics can still lead healthy lives if the necessary management steps are taken. In addition to discussing the benefits of diet and exercise, I also mention which medication should be taken. For example, a commonly prescribed medication for diabetics is metformin, which helps control blood glucose levels. I have also mentioned celebrities, such as Tom Hanks, who also have type II diabetes. Because young adults view celebrities as role models, my hope is that mentioning a famous diabetic will motivate young adults to take charge of their health. Moreover, I discuss apps such as Fooducate, which are entertaining and convenient methods of helping young adults prevent or manage their diabetes.

Reader’s profile: I imagine a young adult who believes they have a very small chance of becoming afflicted with diabetes. This belief would include the false idea that one must be obese to become diabetic. I also imagine that this reader would believe this is an excessive approach to preventing or managing diabetes. In other words, the young adult may believe that diabetes is not hard to prevent or manage.

Reader’s response: I do not think family history is a major contributor to my chances of getting diabetes. I believe that obesity is what primarily leads to insulin resistance, but I am at a normal weight, so that should not be a problem for me. Also, whatever I eat is irrelevant as long as I am involved in daily physical activity. I am also still young, so my high metabolism should prevent me from getting obese or hyperglycemia. Thus, I am still not convinced that type II diabetes is a big enough problem for young adults such as myself. Why would I worry about something that affects only a small percentage of young adults?

R -- clarify that your working definition of diabetes here is TYPE II.

I like that you found a celebrity for this audience.

Now, what about these two items; amputations of limbs and erectile dysfunction. Can you find a way to include this very frightening -- but cautionary -- outcomes?

Touch base with this week about how to handle these "scared straight" ideas.

In your recommendation section, focus on being fit and heavy, or healthy at any weight. Often, we tell people to lose weight as if they need to become "skinny." What about focusing on exercise and diet, as a management strategy for diabetes, even if we are not achieving model-thin statures.