Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

News Video | Policy | GPs | Hospitals | Medical | Mental Health | Welfare | Search

 

Mahatma Gandhi Centre to host Jumpstart health programme

28th April 2017

Mahatma Gandhi Centre to host Jumpstart diabetes health programme

Beginning Monday 1 May, 2017, The Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Eden Terrace, Auckland, will host the first targeted South Asian Jumpstart Diabetes Health Programme.

Jumpstart is a successful national initiative providing exercise, nutrition and lifestyle education for people with diabetes1, or those who have been told they are pre-diabetic.

Founded by YMCA Auckland and healthcare company Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd, the programme has helped over 600 people in the last two years.

Jumpstart will run for ten weeks at The Mahatma Gandhi Centre at 145 New North Road. The programme for the South Asian Community is a result of Jumpstart working closely with local healthcare providers.

Ella Kumar, a physical health and wellbeing promoter and educator, who is leading the programme, says awareness about diabetes and its management needs to grow among the South Asian community:

“This is a very important initiative for our community because South Asian people are more at risk than other ethnic groups,” she says.

“Research shows the Indian population in NZ are prone to diabetes and most of us in our latter years will either know a close friend or relative with diabetes, or have the condition ourselves.

“The shocking statistics show that 40% of us will be affected by the age 70-74 years, which is 25% more than people with a European heritage2. We need to grow awareness and understanding about this condition and educate people about ways it can be managed. This is where a programme like Jumpstart plays such an important role,” she says.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Jumpstart has been operating at 16 YMCAs across the country for two years, starting in Auckland and Hamilton, and then launching in Wellington and Invercargill at the beginning of this year.

Common results from the programme include weight loss, lower waist measurements and blood pressure, improved mental health and confidence about a healthy future. The weekly sessions help get people moving, no matter their size.

For people who are pre-diabetic, exercise and lifestyle programmes, like Jumpstart, can help delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Jumpstart was launched in 2014 after Peter Fergusson, Chief Executive of YMCA Auckland, and Chandra Selvadurai, Managing Director of Pharmaco, discussed ways to support those who are having to manage diabetes daily, so they can enjoy better health.

Chandra Selvadurai, says he is delighted about the first targeted programme for the South Asian community:

“The last two years have shown how Jumpstart helps people to self-manage their health and gives them hope.

“The confidence we see growing in participants is inspiring and results from people working as peers and in groups. There’s a lot of fun and laughter as people help each other to address what is an important personal health issue. The experience improves people’s self-esteem and helps their health, which is important for themselves, their families and community,” he says.

The South Asian Jumpstart Diabetes Health Programme is partly funded and will cost participants just $40 for the entire ten-week course, which takes place weekly at 7.30pm on Monday evenings. People who enrol will also be given a 10-week membership to any YMCA, meaning they can try different types of exercise in a community focused and welcoming gym.

For more information about the Jumpstart programme at The Mahatma Gandhi Centre, please click here, call Ella Kumar on 0210477642 or visit the website www.jumpstartprogramme.co.nz

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Jonathan Tudor, 021 790 475

About YMCA
YMCA is a not-for-profit community organisation that offers programmes for all age groups throughout New Zealand. Its centres provide the community with a vast range of recreational and sport programmes catering to all abilities and include twelve fitness clubs, four aquatic facilities, two camps, two accommodation buildings, five licensed early childhood centres and eight indoor stadiums. Fitness is its largest business unit and it has achieved huge success by winning more national fitness awards than any other fitness club provider.

About Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd
Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd is a New Zealand owned and operated company that was established in 1967. It provides a full range of sales and marketing services to international pharmaceutical, medical, diagnostic and scientific companies requiring representation in New Zealand and Australia. Its service is supported by warehousing, distribution, regulatory and administration services. Pharmaco Diabetes, a division of Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd, distributes a range of diabetes related products. In 2012, Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd was awarded a Pharmac Sole Supply tender for the supply of Blood Glucose meters and test strips in New Zealand.

References:

1 – Diabetes is the result of the body not creating enough insulin to keep blood glucose (sugar) levels in the normal range. Everyone needs some glucose in their blood, but if it's too high it can damage your body over time.
Type 1 diabetes is an 'auto-immune' condition. Basically the body sets up an attack against the cells within it that make insulin. These cells are called beta cells and are isolated in the pancreas. The result is that the body does not produce any insulin (or very little) – (Diabetes NZ, http://www.diabetes.org.nz – accessed 26.4.17)
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your body isn't able to use insulin properly, resulting in high blood glucose levels. This can lead to a wide range of health problems if not treated (healthnavigator.org.nz, accessed, 3.2.17).
2 - Jo EC, Drury PL. Development of a virtual diabetes register using information technology in New Zealand. Healthc Inform Res. 2015;21(1):49-55


ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Culture Headlines | Health Headlines | Education Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • CULTURE
  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
 
 
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Auckland
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.