Bicycle Network: Prevention

The number of Australians treated for end stage kidney disease has almost tripled over the past 20 years, with kidney dialysis now the number one reason for hospital admissions in Australia.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report says the biggest contributing factor is the rising rate of people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

The Institute's Dr Lynelle Moon says the number of Australians receiving dialysis or kidney transplants is approaching 20,000 people, which has tripled since 1991.

Among the reasons for the rise, Dr Moon says the main reason is a largely contributable to a preventable disease, Type 2 Diabetes.

"One of the main reasons for the increase in diabetes is the increase in obesity in the community.

"So there's some types of kidney disease that aren't preventable, but certainly in terms of the increase that we're talking about, a lot of that increase is preventable."

Research continually shows the positive impact physical activity has in reducing people's likelihood of contracting Type 2 Diabetes.  For those who have Type 2 Diabetes, it largely assists with keeping the impact of the disease to a minimum.

For 63 year old Richard, he turned to bike riding.

"I started cycling as a child and stopped when I was 21, and took it up again when I was 58,"

"I'm a type-2 diabetic and cycling got me close to reversing the condition," he said.

This year, Richard will be taking part in his fifth RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride.

"I'd recommend it to anybody who is seeking better health and to meet more people."

Early bird prices for the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride end this Friday 27 July. Enter today and save $100.

With enough votes, every EFTPOS transaction processed in the 2012 Giveback Campaign period will contribute towards a $1million donation to Diabetes Australia. A vote for Disease Prevention is a vote for Diabetes Australia. Voting closed at midnight, Saturday 21 July.

(Image and quote: Dandenong Leader, 2 July 2012, p.7) 

Get on your bike – don’t end up like Santa!

Bicycle Network has released a Christmas calorie-burning tool to give Christmas revellers a clear indication of how much exercise they will need to complete to avoid ending up with a bulging post-Christmas waistline.

Bicycle Network’s Festive Feasting Calorie Counter indicated that for every slice of Christmas cake eaten you will need to ride for 45 minutes, every shortbread biscuit 15 minutes and 30 seconds, every slice of pavlova 29 minutes and every can of beer 14 minutes.

Bicycle Network CEO Harry Barber said typical Australian Christmas lunches or dinners could add many thousands of extra, unwanted, calories to the people’s diets and expose them to preventable diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity.

“Unless the annual Christmas feasting is balanced with more exercise people you won’t just end up feeling flat the next day, you might end up risking your long-term health" Mr Barber

“The answer is simple and easy – get on your bike!”

Diabetes Australia highlights that 60 percent of type 2 diabetes can be prevented through regular physical activity and making healthy food choices.

Sydney University Professor Adrian Bauman said regular moderate-intensity activity, like cycling, could help reduce the likelihood of individuals developing type 2 diabetes.

“Studies have shown a strong link between cycling and decreased blood sugar and cholesterol levels, both strong contributors to type 2 diabetes,” Professor Bauman said.

“In fact, cycling is particularly useful, as it is mostly ‘moderate-vigorous’ intensity, and therefore confers even more diabetes and chronic disease protection than only moderate intensity activities such as walking.”

Bicycle Network’s Festive Feasting Calorie Counter**

** These figures my vary slightly from person to person and are based on an average female weighing 70kg.