Diabetes Awareness Interview with Dr Bryan Betty
13/11/25
November is Diabetes Awareness Action Month in which Diabetes New Zealand is calling attention to the rise in Diabetes amongst young people.
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Thank you for this! I was diagnosed with type 2 at the age of 44. I am Māori and can openly say that I’ve always had a sweet tooth and poor diet. I’ve made big changes to my diet and am working hard on improving my lifestyle, including regular daily exercise. Since diagnosis I have made significant changes to my two children’s (13yr and 6yr) diets by implementing a reward system for daily consumption of veggies and fruits. Also switching out white bread for high dietary fibre/low carb bread. Switching chippies out for popcorn. Cut soft drinks and juice for Flavoured drops you can add to water. I now read labels on food products and I must say it’s unbelievable how most food contains sugar and saturated fats. Label reading has made a huge impact on my weekly shop and overall food choices. My little family and I created amazing veggie patches at home, planted fruit trees to lower cost and it also teaches and encourages my kids to eat veggies. It hasn’t been easy to achieve these changes and adjust one’s mindset. As a parent I am ashamed that it has taken my diagnosis for me to make these changes. My primary focus now is to improve my family’s overall health and wellbeing.