Baptist camp helps kids fight diabetes – The Commercial Appeal

Camp Day2Day is a free camp for youth diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes sponsored by Baptist Memorial Health Care and the American Diabetes Association. Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal

Day camper Blayn Dennington withCamp Day2Day checks his blood sugar at the Kroc Center Tuesday afternoon during a break in activities. Camp Day 2Day is a free camp for youth diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes sponsored by Baptist Memorial Health Care and the American Diabetes Association.(Photo: Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)Buy Photo

Like any kidat summer camp, Russell Johnson enjoys theusual offerings of swimming, badminton and touch football, but what will stick with the 12-year-oldmost from the event he's attendingthis week is alesson about how toshopat the supermarket.

"Don't get junk," says the Germantown Middle School student.

Russell was among 32 kids registered forCamp Day2Day, an event for youngsters diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, along with those considered at-risk for the disease because of family history and other factors. It'sput on free of charge at The Kroc Center Memphis by Baptist Memorial Health Care and the American Diabetes Association.

The camp's attendance isup45percent from the 22 on hand last year, a reflection, perhaps, of the growing awareness of the perils of diabetes and its grip on the Memphis area.

The city lies within a"diabetes belt" -- a region covering 644 counties in 15 states -- identified by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's an area where at least11 percent of the adult population has been diagnosed with diabetes, an incurable disease characterized by an excess of glucose in the blood, which can lead to nerve damage, blindness, kidney disease, heart trouble and death.

In Shelby County, more than 82,000 residents had been diagnosed with diabetes in 2013, the most recent year for which figures are available, and some 250 people die from it annually.

Camp Day2Day, which attracted kids aged6 through 16,this year includesabout eight youngsterswithType 1 diabetes, traditionally called juvenile diabetes, in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Onecamper, Russell, hasType 2 diabetes, the most common form, which occurs when the body develops insulin resistance and can't use the hormone properly.

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Another 5 have been diagnosed with prediabetes, meaning their blood-sugar levels are elevated, but not enough so to be considered diabetic. Most of the remainder were considered at-risk for the disease.

Because Type 2 often stems from obesity or poor eating habits, the camp teaches kids about the importance of a healthful diet and exercise. They learn about portion sizes, counting carbohydrates and, during a field trip to a grocery story, how to choose the right foods.

Russellcan trace his disease largely to family history. His mother had diabetes and died from complications and other factors at age 44, and several other family members have been afflicted.

Russell said he'll benefit most from lessons about how to read nutrition labels and keep his weight in check. Heplans a career in nursing.

"I want to help other people who have diabetes," he said.

Another camper, 12-year-old Andrew Lopez, said the activities such as swimming and footballwill helpprevent his prediabetes from progressing to diabetes.

"Mostof my day I like to spend sitting down reading, watching TV," he said. "Being in this environment helps me be more active."

The camp is modeled on the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which focuses on diet, exercise and behavioral changes. The program, developed by the CDC and implemented by local hospitals and health-care providers, seems to have had an impact locally. Between 2008 and 2013, the number of new cases diagnosed in the county fell nearly 19 percent, from 7,918 to 6,439, according to CDC figures.

Day campers Seraiah Johnson and Mallory Johnson (right) withCamp Day2Day play something akin to basketball at the Kroc Center Tuesday afternoon. Camp Day 2Day is a free camp for youth diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes sponsored by Baptist Memorial Health Care and the American Diabetes Association.(Photo: Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

Jennifer Reed, diabetes education program manager for the Baptist Medical Group Outpatient Care Center, and Melissa Wilson, community health strategist with the ADA, said they're confident the camp can help the kids either avoid developing full-blown diabetes, or, if they already have the disease,at least manage it so they don't develop the debilitating complications.

"It's a process," Reed said. "We hope they'll walk away with a better understanding."

Reach Tom Charlier atthomas.charlier@commercialappeal.comor 901-529-2572 andon Twitter at @thomasrcharlier.

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Baptist camp helps kids fight diabetes - The Commercial Appeal