Chieti: a healing walk for World Diabetes Day, Sunday 26 November

Chieti: a healing walk for World Diabetes Day, Sunday 26 November.

A walk through the streets of the city to promote healthier lifestyles and the prevention of diabetes, which will take place Sunday, November 26, departing at 9.45 from Piazza Garibaldi, on the occasion of World Diabetes Day. The event, organized by the diabetologist Anita Minnucci, representative in the area of ​​the Diabetologists Association of the Federation of Italian Diabetes Societies and sponsored by the Municipality of Chieti, will take place with the collaboration of the nursing team.

path: Departure from Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza Matteotti, Via Cesare De Lollis, Piazza San Giustino, Corso Marrucino, Roman Temples, La Civitella Archaeological Museum, Villa Comunale, arrival in Piazza San Giustino

Every year World Diabetes Day is celebrated in memory of the birth of Professor Banting who discovered insulin in 1921, changing the course of the history of people suffering from diabetes. This year the theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is "Enhancing global health", which clearly highlights the importance of "Healthy Lifestyles".

“We are pleased to promote this event because it is a concrete prevention measure – said Mayor Diego Ferrara, Health Councilor Fabio Stella and Councilor Gabriella Ianiro, head of the Health Council Commission –. The objective is to raise public awareness about diabetes, because more and more people are affected by the disease which is spreading in significant numbers also in Abruzzo, to promote its prevention with the adoption of healthy lifestyles, through the organization of events, training initiatives, educational activities and screening sessions, conferences and activities that will interest both people with diabetes and the general population. Our commitment towards citizens continues in support of initiatives that encourage awareness of the importance of physical and mental health and well-being, understood not as the mere absence of disease, in the name of promoting healthy lifestyles in the field of food and motor, essential in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. It is important to reach an early diagnosis and combine treatment with a healthy lifestyle, based on physical activity and rigorous nutrition, measures that improve life and allow the disease to be controlled."

“Diabetes is a very… common disease and of great social importance both in terms of prevalence and its complications – explains Dr. Anita Minnucci, local representative of the Diabetologists of the Federation of Italian Diabetes Societies –. To date, it is estimated that there are over 530 million adults with diabetes in the world, a number expected to increase to 640 million in 2030. In Europe the disease affects around 60 million adults and in Italy there are around 4 million people with diabetes, but it is estimated that a further million have the disease without ever having been diagnosed. In our Region, the prevalence of the disease is >6% higher than the national average, according to ISTAT data from 2020, out of 1.293.941 inhabitants approximately 80.000 people are affected by diabetes. The province of Chieti, out of a population of 378.840, has approximately 25.000 people with diabetes. The widespread diffusion of diabetes therefore determines the need to pay ever greater attention to the issues of primary and secondary prevention (early diagnosis) and the need to improve people's knowledge and awareness to stem the diabetes epidemic in the world. Primary prevention of type 2 diabetes is identified with the promotion of healthy lifestyles, also aimed at preventing excess weight. A healthy and active lifestyle contributes both to preventing cases of type 2 diabetes and to delaying and reducing the resulting complications. Moderate intensity aerobic physical activity lasting at least 20-30 minutes a day and a 5-10% weight loss reduce the incidence of diabetes by 60%. Just as a diet rich in fibre, with foods with a low glycemic index, reduced consumption of red meat and sugary drinks is protective in the risk of developing type 2 diabetic disease: lifestyles therefore represent particularly effective preventive tools to stop or slow down the diabetes epidemic”.