Innovative Guide Unlocks Ethnic Diet Secrets for Healthcare Professionals

Ottawa, March 25, 2004. The Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC) announces publication of “Ethnic Food Guide for Healthcare Professionals” on an interactive CD.

This innovative CD was developed to fill an information vacuum for healthcare professionals treating ethnic seniors with diabetes. Little knowledge on the content of ethnic diets currently exists and healthcare professionals need to understand diet when they counsel ethnic patients about dietary habits.

Data on 10 cultural groups is presented, with detailed information about the contents of the food consumed as well as some background cultural data. Exercise is another factor in diabetes treatment and prevention, so a basic understanding of the culture will help professionals advise patients on culturally appropriate types of exercise. The CD covers 9 countries – Barbados, China, Ghana, Jamaica, Japan, Philippines, Somalia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam – and the Hispanic culture.

The CEC has prepared this CD in response to a real need. Diabetes takes an increasing toll on the Canadian healthcare system and on the lives of those affected by the disease. Diet and exercise are major lifestyle factors in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes. Many older ethnic individuals have a sedentary lifestyle and a genetic predisposition to diabetes. The information in this CD is essential in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes among this population.

Partners with the CEC in this project were representatives from the 10 cultural groups covered by the ethnic food guide. Health Canada provided financial assistance.

“With this information, healthcare professionals will be better able to advise individuals from these different ethnic backgrounds about diabetes prevention and treatment,” says Art Hagopian, President of the CEC.

The principal beneficiaries of this initiative will be community healthcare professionals who deal with older adults from ethnic communities and, indirectly, older ethnic adults.

The CEC, established in 1980, is Canada’s premier advocacy body on multiculturalism and the country’s only coalition of ethnocultural umbrella organizations. The CEC has worked with seniors for many years to develop tools that meet the needs of the ethnocultural elderly population. CEC-produced studies and publications have assisted healthcare professionals and the ethnic seniors.

For more information, contact: Tel: (613) 230-3867 or Email: cec@web.net