The Bermuda Diabetes Association is actively pursuing plans to launch a diabetes primary school quiz.

Lori Rockhead, the executive director of the association, said the move is part of the charity’s wider mandate to educate residents of the importance of living healthy lives, particularly adopting healthy habits at a young age.

The charity is holding discussions with the International Diabetes Federation to make the quiz a regional competition.

“The objective really is to help more young people understand how to live long, healthy lives,” she said.

Ms Rockhead said she is always excited when children’s responses hinge on eating vegetables and getting exercise when asked how to live a long and healthy life.

“That’s really where it starts, those habits. It’s really difficult to change culture when it starts at that young age,” she said.

“Everyone knows sugary drinks are unhealthy and sometimes small changes in lifestyles can have significant impacts,” she added.

Recounting her personal experiences, she said she was diagnosed with pre-diabetes 20 years ago but her doctor was “ahead of the game” and offered her good advice.

She changed her eating habits and exercised more, adjustments she said can be challenging for many.

“It was a huge wake-up call and now I think of those things that I initially found difficult as not a big deal, I haven’t had a soda in 30 years and I don’t miss it,” Ms Rockhead said.

She added: “It was initially hard to give it up, and making lifestyle changes can take some getting used to, but some simple changes can have a very positive impact on your health.”

As part of its mandate, the association conducts dozens of outreach sessions annually. Its dietitians attend multiple health and wellness events as well as corporate wellness events, among others.

The charity also hosts an open day on November 14 for World Diabetes Day at its offices on Princess Street where it conducts screenings for blood pressure and blood glucose.

It also conducts pre-diabetes screenings and residents are afforded a free A1C test which measures average blood sugar.

“We make sure that we’re visible at events across Bermuda,” Ms Rockhead said, adding: “We try to be out and available as much as possible.

“We want people to know we are here and that we’re ready to help.”

Two weekends ago, the association hosted three Type 1 diabetes events which targeted the community.

They included a training session by Anna Sabino, a diabetes care education specialist, for local school nurses on how to treat schoolchildren with Type 1 diabetes.

It also hosted a session for adults with Type 1 diabetes to address the distress and challenges they face and another forum was held with parents and care givers of children with the health condition.

Ms Rockhead said: “It really is nice to get the Type 1 community together as it gives them an opportunity to see other people and gain some support from those on a similar diabetes journey as them.”

The association also hosts a free, monthly Peer Support programme which Ms Rockhead said provides an opportunity for people with diabetes to share experiences and highlight the challenges they face.

She said there is evidence-based research that shows people who participate in peer support programmes or gain support from their families, achieve better health outcomes with diabetes.

“The reason for that is that they feel more comfortable, have greater access to education and gain understanding that they can actively manage their condition,” she added.

Kennita Perry, a certified counsellor and psychotherapist, hosts the Peer Support programme and regularly invites special guest co-hosts, including Sarah Williamson, a dietitian and diabetes educator at the association.

Next month, Ms Rockhead said Didi Garcia-Banigan, an endocrinologist from the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center based in Massachusetts, will join the Peer Support session to offer her expert knowledge and diabetes support.

Dr Garcia-Banigan’s visit for the November 10 forum is part of wider activities which will take place during Diabetes Awareness Month.

The events will include two-days of public retinopathy screenings on November 12 and 13 for people who are being treated for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes for more than ten years.

Ms Rockhead said retinopathy is the most common cause of preventable blindness and vision impairment among diabetes patients.