Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Pelly Bay (Oct 24/05) - John Ningark of Kugaaruk is tired of having to travel to Yellowknife for information he needs to live a normal life.

"Perhaps there's not enough, or too few people with my condition in Nunavut to get any real attention," said Ningark.

Ningark was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1999. He has since travelled three times to Yellowknife for diabetes workshops - his most recent trip was last Tuesday.

He received information in his home town only once.

"About four years ago there was a person from Yellowknife that talked about it on the radio but that was it."

Three years ago the health department released a report - Diabetes in Nunavut - that showed 1.72 per cent of the Inuit population in Nunavut had Type 2 diabetes. The non-Inuit population living in Nunavut were on par with the rest of Canada, with 4.8 per cent with Type 2 diabetes.

However, the same report, which spanned 1997-2002 noted the risk Nunavummiut have of developing the sickness.

"Overweight, obesity and physical inactivity are considered risk factors for the development of diabetes," states the report. "In 2000, 30.7 per cent of residents were overweight and 23 per cent were obese. Nearly 50 per cent of Nunavut residents were physically inactive."

Type one and two diabetes are life-long conditions, affecting the way the body uses sugar.

With Type 2, Ningark does not have to take insulin, but does have to monitor his blood sugar regularly and take medication.

Diabetes needs constant attention, he said.

"You have to be very picky and careful at the grocery store to not buy foods with lots of sugar," said Ningark. "And it can be hard, especially at a birthday party, when there's cake - it can be tempting."

When he was first diagnosed, he thought he was going to feel terrible and sick all the time.

But after attending workshops, he discovered priceless information on how to maintain normality.

This information, he says, should be within arms reach for all those who suffer.

He says he became diabetic because he wasn't taking care of himself.

"I think I was diagnosed because I was living a different lifestyle than when I was younger," said Ningark. "Now, everything is delivered to our house, the garbage is taken away, the water is brought to us, and we sit and watch sports on TV and eat food bought at the grocery store. Of course we are at a greater risk now."

He says not long ago, Nunavummiut were healthier, eating country food and getting lots of exercise out on the land.

"The only way to prevent that is to inform people."

No one from the Department of Health and Social Services was available for comment before deadline.