Support Diabetics Through Shared Lifestyle Changes – Dietitian Urges Families
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
Registered Dietitian, Nii Amartei, has emphasised the crucial role of family support in helping individuals manage diabetes effectively, warning that patients often struggle when left to navigate lifestyle changes alone.
Speaking on the Business Breakfast on Zed 101.9FM, he explained that when a person is diagnosed with diabetes or any condition that requires dietary changes, the entire household must adapt to a healthier way of eating.
“When someone is diagnosed and needs to change their diet, the whole family has to adjust. You don’t say, ‘she’s the one with diabetes, so it’s her issue.’ The entire household must change its eating habits,” he said.
Mr. Amartei noted that this approach not only eases the burden on the family in terms of meal preparation but also offers long-term health benefits to other members, reducing their risk of developing lifestyle-related conditions.
He stressed that beyond nutrition, emotional and psychological support is essential. According to him, isolating diabetics such as giving them separate meals or separate cooking utensils can have damaging effects on their mental health and slow their recovery.
“If you separate their utensils or make them eat alone, it can feel psychologically crushing, but when the whole family comes together eating with the person, joining them for walks, and making lifestyle changes together, the therapy becomes easier, and the person recovers faster,” he stressed.
He also encouraged families to walk with diabetics, adopt healthy habits collectively, and create an environment where patients feel supported rather than singled out.
“If you’re listening to me today and there’s a diabetic in your home, please offer all the support you can. When the family is involved, progress comes much faster,” he urged.
The dietitian appealed for greater awareness, stressing that diabetes management is not an individual battle but a shared responsibility.
Mr. Amartei also cautioned the public against widely circulated misconceptions about diabetes, stressing that misinformation continues to mislead many Ghanaians about the causes and management of the condition.
He debunked the popular belief that sugar directly causes diabetes, noting that the disease is influenced by a combination of factors.
He urged the public to seek guidance from qualified health professionals rather than relying on unverified information circulating online.
