Record Details

Community development as a possible approach for the management of diabetes mellitus focusing on physical activity lifestyle changes: A model proposed for Maltese people with diabetes

International Journal of Community Development

View Archive Info
 
 
Field Value
 
Title Community development as a possible approach for the management of diabetes mellitus focusing on physical activity lifestyle changes: A model proposed for Maltese people with diabetes
 
Creator Micallef, Charles; Kunsill Malti għall-iSport (Malta Sports Council), Spinelli Street, Gzira, GZR 1712, Malta;
Ministry of Health, 15, Merchants Street, Valletta, VLT 1171, Malta.
 
Subject community development; diabetes; empowerment; participation; physical activity
 
Description Treating diabetes mellitus is very expensive and with 10% prevalence, the Maltese healthcare can face serious problems. Despite the evidence that regular exercise lowers blood glucose, few persons with diabetes participated in physical activity due to fear of hypoglycaemia and other barriers. Conventional management of diabetes imposes lifestyle changes and favours pharmaceutical administration. Implementation of grassroots initiatives through health needs assessment leading to community development is an alternative strategy. The main purposes of this article are, to present clear information on community development as an alternative to conventional diabetes interventions, and to serve as a model to stimulate interest amongst the authorities to use this approach for diabetes management. In a fictitious diabetes community scenario, based on available, limited literature, lack of physical activity was identified as the main need to improve health. Through a ‘bottom-up’ approach based on empowerment and participation, the sedentary community gradually progressed to active subgroups that eventually became less dependent on anti-diabetic medications and car-use. There was the possibility of a sports and recreational strategy. Health promoters were leading players, followed by local councils and other stakeholders.  After publishing physical activity guidelines, holding regular recreational activities and celebrations, the community development was sustainable, cost-effective and environmental friendly. Project evaluation was crucial. Funding was governmental and partly sponsored by health-compatible enterprises. Albeit time-consuming, community development is regarded as the most ethical and effective form of health promotion. It offers a challenge to the medical model.
 
Publisher World Scholars
 
Contributor Support provided: Staffordshire University; Malta Sports Council; Ministry of Health (Malta). The work was not supported by any funding body.
 
Date 2014-12-13
 
Type Peer-reviewed Article
 
Format application/pdf
 
Identifier http://wscholars.com/index.php/ijcd/article/view/582
10.11634/233028791402582
 
Source International Journal of Community Development; Vol 2, No 2 (2014); 30-40
 
Language en
 
Relation http://wscholars.com/index.php/ijcd/article/downloadSuppFile/582/1434
 
Rights Submission of an article implies that the work described has not been published previously (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture or academic thesis), that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and that, if accepted, will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the Publisher. The Editors reserve the right to edit or otherwise alter all contributions, but authors will receive proofs for approval before publication.World Scholars reserves the rights to retract any published manuscripts in the case of suspected plagiarism or any scientific misconducts. All requests for withdrawal of manuscripts before or after publishing will only be entertained if a formal written request is made to the editor of IJCD. Approvals for withdrawal of manuscripts wholly depends on the consideration of the editor and the editorial board of IJCD. No refunds for the manuscript publishing charges will be made in the event of withdrawal after the manuscript has been published.Copyrights for articles published in World Scholars journals are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. The journal/publisher is not responsible for subsequent uses of the work. It is the author's responsibility to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author.