Sugar Man (diabetes education)
Encyclopedia
The Sugar Man is an innovative interactive model for diabetes education developed by registered nurse Michael Porter. It was first presented at Leigh Creek Hospital in South Australia and has since been used at numerous events around Australia
- in particular CrocFest and some of the Healthy for Life days. The Sugar Man model has been adopted by student run Rural Medical Health Clubs such as ARMS (ANU Rural Medical Society) and adapted to different situations.
In tackling the increasing problem of diabetes in the Indigenous population, Michael Porter has devised a program that educates adults and children about diabetes in a fun and interactive way. The Sugar Man takes the form of an outline of a body (initially created with rocks on the ground) drawn on a large piece of canvas. The participants then do activities which teach them about glucose
transport, insulin resistance
and the role of exercise in controlling diabetes.
The work is predicated on the need to provide information in a way that is simple, easy to understand and culturally sensitive. The project uses storytelling, activities and visual learning to provide a preventative strategy to a growing health burden for Aboriginal Australians.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
- in particular CrocFest and some of the Healthy for Life days. The Sugar Man model has been adopted by student run Rural Medical Health Clubs such as ARMS (ANU Rural Medical Society) and adapted to different situations.
In tackling the increasing problem of diabetes in the Indigenous population, Michael Porter has devised a program that educates adults and children about diabetes in a fun and interactive way. The Sugar Man takes the form of an outline of a body (initially created with rocks on the ground) drawn on a large piece of canvas. The participants then do activities which teach them about glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
transport, insulin resistance
Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is a physiological condition where the natural hormone insulin becomes less effective at lowering blood sugars. The resulting increase in blood glucose may raise levels outside the normal range and cause adverse health effects, depending on dietary conditions. Certain cell types...
and the role of exercise in controlling diabetes.
The work is predicated on the need to provide information in a way that is simple, easy to understand and culturally sensitive. The project uses storytelling, activities and visual learning to provide a preventative strategy to a growing health burden for Aboriginal Australians.