Most people believe that type 2 diabetes is a disease of older people. However, in recent years, more and more young people have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which is usually associated with inadequate diet and lack of physical activity (Serbis et al., 2021). For this reason, prevention and education of adolescents and young people about diabetes are a necessity. Schillinger et al. (2018) came to the same conclusion; thus, their findings on the study of the Bigger Picture (TBP) campaign effectiveness among youth of color are necessary to explore diabetes prevention.
The first helpful idea that the authors suggest is how to motivate young people in disease prevention. Schillinger et al. (2018) say that long-term healthcare perspectives are weak motivators for adolescents while giving young people self-reliance. The ability to take the initiative and challenge authorities is more effective. In other words, older people require individual motivation, while youth is receptive to collective action (Cartagena et al., 2021; Schillinger et al., 2018). For this reason, the Bigger Picture (TBP) was shown to be effective among the participants as they perceived social and economic barriers more as the cause of Type 2 diabetes and communicated the need to confront them. At the same time, respondents also noted the importance of the individual choice of a healthy lifestyle. In addition, highlighted barriers such as unhealthy diets due to low family income, limited access to farm shops, and the promotion of unhealthy food are also useful information for learning about diabetes prevention. Consequently, these findings on youth motivation, individual and structural barriers, and the effectiveness of The Bigger Picture (TBP) will be used to research the topic of diabetes prevention and its complications and formulate recommendations.
References
Cartagena, V.M., Tort-Nasarre, G., & Rubinat Arnaldo, E. (2021). Barriers and facilitators for physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 1-16.
Schillinger, D., Tran, J., & Fine, S. (2018). Do low-income youth of color see “The Bigger Picture” when discussing type 2 diabetes: A qualitative evaluation of a public health literacy campaign?International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(5), 1-14.
Serbis, A., Giapros, V., Kotanidou, E.P., Galli-Tsinopoulou, A., & Siomou, E. (2021). Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents.World Journal of Diabetes, 12(4), 344-365.