The SALUD programme acknowledges the daily realities of individuals living with type-2 diabetes, encompassing work, children, and education. According to Kristel Polhuis from Wageningen University & Research, the programme’s implementation yields promising results, empowering participants to achieve better control over their health.
“More and more people are getting diabetes. In the Netherlands, this currently amounts to approximately 1.1 million type-2 diabetes patients. Their body no longer responds well to insulin. Their blood sugar gets too high, and they develop problems with the heart, eyes, and kidneys. “With a healthy diet, people can control the disease or even reverse it altogether,” says Kristel Polhuis, researcher in Health and Society. “But many people find it hard to maintain a strict diet. In addition, most lifestyle programmes, also for diseases other than diabetes, devote little attention to the day-to-day reality into which people have to fit this healthy lifestyle. And that while a person’s living situation largely determines how much space and time they have for change. This is often a barrier to healthy eating and being able to take good care of yourself.”
That is why the researchers joined forces with diabetes patients, GPs, dieticians, and practice support workers to develop a new programme that focuses on day-to-day life and takes a broad perspective on health. Polhuis: “Health is about more than not being sick. It is also about vitality, feeling good about yourself, having a supportive social network, and being able to organise your life the way you want. This requires a holistic perspective on the full range of physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual factors that can support a healthy lifestyle. The conversations that we had with people with diabetes prior to developing the programme also made it clear that healthy eating is related to how a person experiences their life. For example, if people have a loving social network and experience little stress, they find it easier to maintain a healthy diet.”
The SALUD programme promotes a healthy lifestyle that is aligned with people’s day-to-day life by inviting them to set their own goals and challenging them to take small steps. Steps that are achievable in combination with a busy family or a job, for example. Or steps that help people do something about their busy lives. A lifestyle coach guides participants through the programme, which consists of 12 weekly online sessions. Polhuis: “For some, the goal is to lose 5 kilos while for others, the first goal is to get extra help from a partner. The most important thing is that the changes are permanent, because that is what brings health benefits. Participants share their experiences and form a social network.”
On the 20th of September, Kristel will defended her dissertation entitled ‘Flourish and Nourish; development and evaluation of a salutogenic healthy eating programme for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.’ You are most welcome to join us at Wageningen Campus or online. More info here.
Centre for Space, Place and Society 