The prevalence of diabetes in the Chinese-Canadian community will be the subject of a public event next Saturday (June 15) in Richmond.
Hosted by the Canadian Diabetes Association in collaboration with the Vancouver Cambie Lions Club, Diabetes Wellness Day at Fraserview MB Church will bring attention to the fact diabetes rates are much higher in the Chinese population than mainstream, said Iris Lui, Chinese community coordinator, British Columbia for the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Lui said there are a number of theories why. Some point to a genetic link in the Chinese population and a so-called thrifty gene which in times of famine in China made inhabitants readily store fat for periods when food was scarce.
Coupled with todays more sedentary lifestyles, and access to an array of food supplies that often include high calorie, high fat content, and the setting is ripe for people to gain weight and heighten the risk of developing diabetes, Lui said.
Diabetes Wellness Day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Fraserview MB Church, 11295 Mellis Dr.
