In case you missed it, November is American Diabetes Month; I’ll report on resources related to diabetes education, treatment and reduction throughout the month, including nutrition and physical activity.

I mentioned in earlier posts that I spent a couple weeks traveling around the state, meeting with groups that receive an Office of Rural Health Community Grant.  The Bloomer Area Diabetes Coalition has a really innovative program they will implement over the next year: Diabetes Education, Health Coaching and Nutrition Improvement.  Several organizations are collaborating to offer diabetes education to the local food pantry patrons.  They will also label pantry items with nutritional information, such as carbohydrate content.  Take a look at their program; you may get some ideas for your community.  This is also an example of a successful grant proposal.

• The Allen Foundation supports programs that emphasize proper nutrition, including education on nutritional practices and habits and training mothers so children can form good nutritional habits at an early age.   They are accepting program proposals through December 31.

• General Mills’ Champions for Healthy Kids program will award grants up to $10,000 for community programs that will improve the diet and physical activity of young people.  They’re looking for programs that will develop creative ways to help children adopt a balanced diet and physically active lifestyle.  The deadline is January 15. 

Many, if not most, U.S. students are not able to engage in healthy activities at school.  According to a report issued this summer, “While most students nationwide are enrolled in a school district with a wellness policy on the books, these policies are weak, failing to provide our children with the healthy foods and physical activity they need.”  The report, Local School Wellness Policies, found problems with both school meal and physical activity policies.  Only 18% of elementary students are in schools with a recess policy.  And while most schools have a healthy school lunch policy, they don’t have adequate policies for vending machines and other “a la carte” sources.  These policies have a serious impact on our ability to reduce child obesity.  The American Heart Association’s Alliance for a Healthier Generation developed a toolkit for parents to become involved in developing and implementing healthy school policies.  They’ve developed model programs on designing healthy school lunch and activity programs.  Most importantly, they outline how parents can take the initiative and move these programs forward.

The WI Department of Health Services revised the Wisconsin Diabetes Mellitus Essential Care Guidelines last year.  They Guidelines provide information to providers, caregivers and patients on proper treatment and care.  Besides the guidelines, the Department has a library of webcasts on diabetes care topics.  You can download guidelines or order hard copies.