Physical activity and exercise programs must be implemented as a matter of urgency to combat Australia’s diabetes epidemic, the
Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes has found.
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) has welcomed the Inquiry findings, including the recommendation to develop physical activity initiatives and increase access to regular exercise in schools and neighbourhoods as a matter of urgency.
ESSA Acting CEO Carmen Jenkinson was particularly pleased the Inquiry recognised ESSA’s position that physical activity is critical in preventing and managing diabetes.
“The final report clearly demonstrates the criticalness of physical activity in improving the health of our population and reducing the impact of diabetes.
“For many years we have strongly advocated for greater involvement of physical activity and accredited exercise physiologists in the prevention and management of this disease.
“ESSA and its members are ready to deliver evidence-based healthcare and assist our governments to invest wisely in physical activity programs in schools and broader community.”
When handing down the 23 recommendations of the Inquiry, the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Chair specified that particular emphasis on prevention and awareness of the major risk factors associated with the disease must be implemented.
“Accredited exercise and sports practitioners are fundamental in the prevention and modification of risk factors associated with diabetes.
“Type-2 diabetes can be prevented with physical activity, and type-1 diabetes is effectively managed with physical activity.
“Our evidence-based approach will drastically improve health and economic outcomes. Not only is physical activity effective, but it is also accessible by everyone under expert guidance.
“The prescription of exercise for people with diabetes or at risk of diabetes can only be delivered by an accredited exercise physiologist.
“ESSA urges our governments to lead productive collaboration with ESSA and our accredited professionals and remove barriers to accessing care as a matter of urgency.”
ESSA appeared before the Committee at the Inquiry in November 2023, following its submission that called for clinical exercise interventions as a critical therapy for preventing and managing the disease that should be part of every patient’s disease management plan.
The report made three recommendations as a direct result of ESSA’s submission and presentation:
Recommendation 7: The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in consultation and cooperation with state and territory governments, develops a best practice framework to tackle the problem of obesogenic environments., including through better urban planning and the development of physical activity initiatives and supports efforts to increase access to regular exercise in schools and neighbourhoods as a matter of urgency.
Recommendation 11: The Committee recommends that the Australian Government implements a national public health campaign to increase awareness of the importance of prevention, identification of early signs, and good management of all forms of diabetes mellitus.
Recommendation 22: The Committee recommends that the Australian Government undertakes a survey of current diabetes-related data, with a view to developing strategies for establishing new and improving current data sources and for establishing a national diabetes mellitus register within the CDC.