WEST Melbourne is a diabetes hotspot with Brimbank recording the highest number of people in Victoria with the disease.
Two new cases of diabetes are diagnosed every day in Brimbank, where 19 per cent – or 8600 – of people aged over 55 have type 2 diabetes.
Researchers from the Australian Community Centre for Diabetes mapped what they are calling a “diabetes epidemic” in the western suburbs.
One in seven older people were diabetics in the west, triple the Victorian average.
Sixteen per cent of Melton residents, 14 per cent of Hobsons Bay and Wyndham residents and 12 per cent of Maribyrnong residents suffer the effects of type 2 diabetes.
Taylors Lakes resident Saeeda Bhatti found out she was diabetic during the birth of her fifth child.
She takes medication to help her blood sugar levels, eats healthy foods and tries to exercise as much she can while looking after her six children.
Saeeda is inspired by her niece who changed her lifestyle with regular exercise and healthy eating after being diagnosed with type two diabetes.
“She lost 10 kilograms and doesn’t have to take medication any more,” Saeeda said.
Her mother-in-law also has type two diabetes and was diagnosed when she arrived in Australia 25 years ago from Pakistan.
Surriya Bhatti was healthy and active for many years, but at 68 she suffers the long-term effects of diabetes – back and kidney problems, numbness, aches and high blood pressure.
She monitors her blood pressure daily and is strict in her diet.
Saeeda said: “She will tell us if we reach for a mango, that a nectarine is better because it has less sugar.”
But Surriya said she finds it lonely and depressing at times because, along with the more than half of Brimbank residents who do not speak English at home, she relies on her family to translate for her.
“Sometimes she wants to express herself and explain her problems to doctors but she can’t,” Saeeda said.
Presenting the research last week, Professor Greg Johnson, CEO of Diabetes Australia Victoria, said the total number of people in western Melbourne suffering diabetes is likely to be more than 48,000.
Prof Johnson said the make-up of the western suburbs presents particular challenges including cultural diversity, lower income, poor health literacy, and a lack of recreational opportunities.
