New Type 2 Diabetes Healthsmart Camp Launched

In today’s health environment, people with Type 2 diabetes must be single-minded and proactive in managing their condition effectively. However, many people with Type 2 diabetes at diagnosis are not properly informed on the need and importance of moving to a healthy lifestyle which includes good diet and regular exercise that is required to manage their condition over the long term.

As part of World Diabetes week, Diabetes Ireland has joined with Healthsmart Camps to launch a new 2015 initiative for people with Type 2 diabetes who want to make positive lifestyle changes. The initiative will see participants attend a weekend camp to learn and be equipped with the necessary tools to maintain a long term healthy balanced lifestyle. The camp will focus on the pillars of exercise, nutrition and psychology and includes cognitive behavioural therapy sessions, diet and nutrition workshops, and a range of activities and exercises designed to suit different fitness levels. Participants will have access to a team of qualified and passionate experts including a dietitian, psychologist and personal trainers. Dr Anna Clarke, Diabetes Ireland Health Promotion & Research Officer said “immersing yourself in a health and fitness camp allows you time to focus on yourself, your diet and your lifestyle.

During the stay, you will attend workshops to help change your mindset and therefore your relationship with food and exercise. You will participate in nutritional classes so you can learn to improve your food intake, get a better understanding of carbohydrates and portion control in a balanced and realistic way and enhance the daily management of your condition”. Furthermore, every participant will go further than they thought physically possible as they are exposed to a range of activities and exercises, with a focus on programmes that are easily put into practice when they return home. Throughout the weekend participants enjoy delicious, nutritious and healthy balanced food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, which have been specially created to suit their requirements and will have ample time to mingle with peers enjoying some quality time focusing on themselves and their health.

The inaugural Type 2 Diabetes Healthsmart Camp will take place over the weekend of 27/28 February and 1 March 2015 in Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim in County Meath where participants will have access to high quality facilities including a gym, pool and spa. The weekend camp, open to men and women of all ages will also suit people who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and wish to prevent or delay its onset. Why wait, to book now and/or for further information, visit www.healthsmart.ie/diabetes-ireland-retreat Notes Healthsmart HealthSmart are Ireland’s first weight loss, detox & fitness holiday camps. HealthSmart focus on physical, psychological and nutritional needs to help kick start a healthy new lifestyle and to ensure participants reach their long term fitness goals. Camps are weekend (3 days) or week long (7 days) in duration and they balance lots of exercise sessions with practical educational sessions (nutrition and cognitive behaviour). Our team of experts, which include personal trainers, dieticians and cognitive behavioural therapists, help educate and empower participants with a knowledge of health, exercise, and nutrition, combined with having the right mindset. HealthSmart take a balanced approach, together with long term and state of the art online support, to ensure healthy lifestyle changes continue for individuals and families, once participants return home. Diabetes Ireland Diabetes Ireland is the national charity dedicated to providing support, education and motivation to all people affected by diabetes. It also raises public awareness of diabetes and its symptoms and funds Irish-based research into diabetes. This initiative is being launched as part of Diabetes Ireland’s World Diabetes Day (14 November) celebrations.

For more information about other World Diabetes Week events or about diabetes, contact Diabetes Ireland on 1850 909 909 or visit www.diabetes.ie Text DIABETES to 50300 to donate €2. 100% of text cost goes to Diabetes Ireland across most network providers. Some providers apply VAT which means that a minimum of €1.63 will go to Diabetes Ire-land. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 0766805278. Diabetes in Ireland The International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas (2013) estimate there are now 207,490 people with diabetes in Ireland in the 20 – 79 years age group (prevalence of 6.5% in the population) which is in line with previous estimates which said that by 2030 there will be 278,850 people with the condition (prevalence of 7.5% in the same population) in The Policy Puzzle, Is Europe Making Progress? (2012) estimates. It is also estimated there are 2,750 people under 20 years of age living with Type 1 diabetes and in the over 80 age group, it is estimated that there are over 15,600 people with Type 2 diabetes. Thus, the total number of people living with diabetes in Ireland now is estimated to be 225,840.