Regular exercise from an early age is one key to reducing obesity
Geneva / Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – A group of universities, including EPFL in Lausanne, is behind one of the latest encouraging signs of new treatments for diabetes, obesity and possibly several cancers. Their research into the cell metabolism action of a group of cancer drugs called Paribs indicates that the drugs do more than repair the DNA in cancer cells, the work for which they are now used.
At the same time, the UK has just published the results of an audit on the effectiveness of bariatric (weight loss) surgery at reducing Type 2 diabetes, which shows that 85 percent of patients who had the surgery showed significant improvement in their diabetes a year later.
The rapid increase in the rate of diabetes in the developed world has encouraged more research into solutions, often linked to obesity and excess weight. Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes type 2, but in 2005 it forecast that the number could double by 2030.
EPFL’s press release on the university researchers’ findings, published 6 April in journal Cell Metabolism, explains how Paribs might help:
“Cancer cells have the property of using glucose as an energy source instead of burning fatty acids. The scientists have noticed that Paribs enable their metabolism to be modified so that they begin to use them. This has the effect of weakening them and therefore stopping the progression of the cancer. The cells of patients suffering from type 2 diabetes, obesity or oxidation disorders share this characteristic of running on glucose.”
New UK study shows that diabetes risk is greatly reduced by weight-loss surgery
Swiss gov't will pay smaller share of cost of incontinence
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Opticians in Switzerland are unusually busy this week, reports 24 Heures, but it’s not thanks to Christmas shoppers: this is the last chance to get reimbursed CHF180 towards your new eyeglasses or contact lenses by your health insurance company.
Starting 1 Janaury 2011, a series of health care cost-cutting measures for the basic obligatory health insurance will go into effect.
These include: hospital patients will contribute CHF15 instead of the current CHF10 a day for basic hospitalization, glycemia measuring devices for diabetes patients will be covered up to CHF43 a year instead of CHF135, and the coverage for incontinence pads and pants will be reduced by about one-third for the least and most severe cases and about 10 percent for average cases.
Adults currently can ask to be reimbursed once every five years up to CHF180 for glasses and contact lenses, and children annually, but this will end for all age groups in January.
Insurers will no longer have to reimburse part of cost of glasses, contact lenses
The reductions in coverage will save the federal government CHF40 million a year in obligatory insurance payments, says Bern, about 10 percent of its expenditures in this area. The government covers some obligatory health insurance costs for people receiving disability insurance, social assistance or unemployment benefits. The change will, however, also affect consumers who pay their own health insurance premiums and costs, effectively passing the bill from the insurer to the consumer. Insurance premiums, which have been rising for several years, will go up again for most Swiss in 2011.
The government is, however, increasing coverage in two areas: girls and young women currently have human
papillomavirus vaccinations coverd if they are carried out as part of a cantonal vaccination programme, up to age 20. This will be extended up to age 26, until the end of 2012. Obligatory health insurance will also cover some stomach reduction surgeries in cases of morbid obesity with BMI (body mass index) over 35 (previously 40), if the person has followed a weight-loss programme for two years without losing weight.
Swiss health insurance FAQ, English, published by the federal government June 2010
Table: Swiss Federal Office of Health, 2008 statistical review, mandatory insurance system – total health care costs of some OECD countries, as a percentage of GDP (gross domestic product)
The cost of diabetes in the US could soar to $3.35 trillion from 2010-2020, with the government footing 60 percent, the bulk of the bill, if Americans don’t start to take off pounds, says the country’s largest health insurance group, United Health of Minnesota. Diabets currently costs the US $195 billion. The number of Americans with high blood sugar will climb from 93.8 million in 2010 to 135 million by 2020, a new study released 23 November by the group shows.
The figures follow a study published in October 2010 by the US Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta that shows one in three US adults could have diabetes by 2050. “One in 10 US adults has diabetes now,” the CDC reported. “The prevalence is expected to rise sharply over the next 40 years due to an aging population more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, increases in minority groups that are at high risk for type 2 diabetes, and people with diabetes living longer, according to CDC projections.”
Sports event for juvenile diabetics grows in popularity
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Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) - The international football Junior Cup Diabetes ended Sunday in Geneva with Spain (kids), Great Britain (junior) and Slovakia (senior) the winners in the competition that brought together 230 young people with diabetes.
This was the fourth annual event, with competitors from 16 countries, and nearly twice the number of athletes that the first event attracted in 2007.
“This tournament proves that diabetes is no hindrance to sport. It’s just the opposite,” says Michel Pont, assistant trainer of the Swiss National Soccer Team.
“Doing sports helps to rise above the disease and confers positive energy.”
The tournament was organized by a group of companies involved in diabetes treatments, one of which is Medtronic, based in Tolochenaz; international diabetes organizations; and a number of other groups, including medical researchers, the HUG university hospitals in Geneva, the Philias Foundation for corporate social responsibility and the Theodora Foundation, which works closely with hospitals and other groups that treat sick children and those with chronic diseases.
Bout du Monde winners
WHO says over 50% population obese in 10 Pacific islands, causing host of health problems
Adolescents learn good eating habits at a youth centre in Port Vila, Vanuatu (photo: Unicef /Giacomo Pirozzi)
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) – Three Pacific Island regions, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia are home to 10 islands whose populations are suffering from growing health problems, with obesity at the root of the problem. Imported foods are the main culprit, says the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva.
WHO surveys show that in at least 10 Pacific island countries, more than 50 percent of the population is overweight.
Obesity prevalence ranges from more than 30% in Fiji to a “staggering 80 percent among women in American Samoa”, a territory of the USA, says the organization.
Overweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) equal to or more than 25, and obesity as a BMI equal to or more than 30.
“Promotion of traditional foods has fallen by the wayside. They are unable to compete with the glamour and flashiness of imported foods,” says Dr Temo K Waqanivalu, the WHO’s technical officer for nutrition and physical activity for the South Pacific.
Fewer imports and more fresh, local food, including fish and vegetables, are needed in people’s diets, he says.
Imported food in the past came mainly from Australia and New Zealand, but much of it now comes from China, Malaysia and the Philippines. These foods are often energy-dense and nutritionally poor, such as highly refined cereals and fatty meat, according to the Pacific Food Summit.
Lack of food safety regulations is a problem, with old, damaged and contaminated products arriving in the market as well as products with low mineral content that are high in sugar and fat.
Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Switzerland’s second death from A/H1N1 flu has taken place just a week after the first, but doctors point out that the patient, a woman over 50 with diabetes, could well have died if she contracted regular flu. TSR quotes the head of public health in Zurich as saying that in a normal year Zurich alone has some 100 flu-related deaths, generally caused by complications from existing health problems.
EPFL, campus in Lausanne
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – A group based mainly at EPFL in Lausanne have identified a molecule that may provide a stronger tool in the fight against excess weight and diabetes type 2, both of which are increasing at alarming rates worldwide, according to the journal Cell Metabolism.
Researchers Kristina Schoonjans, Johan Auwerx, Hiroyasu Yamamoto and Chikage Matakiand at EPFL, the Lausanne federal polytechnic university, working with Charles Thomas at EPFL and Roberto Pellicciari at the University of Perugia in Italy, say the selective molecule, called INT-777, can activate the TGR5 protein. TGR5 controls secretion of a hormone that has a critical role in pancreatic function and regulating blood sugar levels.
Title: Junior diabetes cup
Location: Bout-du-monde, Geneva
Link out: Click here
Description: Over 170 junior players (6 to 18 years old), suffering from diabetes type 1 and representing over 10 countries will meet during a weekend of fun and sports in Geneva.
Start Date: 22 Aug 2009
End Date: 23 Aug 2009
