World Diabetes Day 2021: Theme, Date, History & Significance

World Diabetes Day is celebrated to help spread awareness of Diabetes Mellitus disease amongst the global community.

World Diabetes Day 2021

Every year November 14th is observed as World Diabetes Day. With the advent of technology, man is prone to several lifestyle diseases. Diabetes Mellitus is an ailment in persons who have high blood glucose levels in their bodies. Medical science has found no cure for diabetes, but the disease can be controlled, and blood sugar levels can be maintained.

World Diabetes Day 2021 – History

The first-ever World Diabetes Day was celebrated on November 14th, 1991. It is a rare celebration where health care fraternities join hands with the general public to spread awareness of diabetes. The International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) collaborated with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to mark the first-ever international celebration. The IDF started the promotions for this day owing to medical concerns regarding the increasing cases of diabetes Mellitus worldwide.

In the year 2006, the UN passed a resolution on official terms, and since then, the day is observed with formal celebrations. November 14th also marks a significant day in medical history. Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin in the year 1922. The birth anniversary of Sir Frederick Banting is celebrated every year on November 14th.

World Diabetes Day 2021 Theme

• The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021 is not decided yet. The year 2020 theme focused on ‘The Nurse and Diabetes’.
• 2018-2019 gave two full-fledged years to diabetes in the genes. The theme was ‘Family and Diabetes: Diabetes concerns that every family have’.
• 2017 gave a year to the females with its pink coloured theme ‘Women and Diabetes – the right to a healthy future.’
• 2016 focussed on eye health with the theme “Eyes on Diabetes”.
• 2015 kept its theme simple yet very relatable. It said, ‘Healthy Eating’.
• 2014 hit the target right with foods, fads and diet with the theme ‘Go blue for your breakfast’.
• 2013 had a fascinating theme – ‘Protect the future: All about Diabetes education and prevention.’

Significance of World Diabetes Day 2021

Approximately 422 million people have diabetes, according to the latest statistics. This number tells us the reason why we need to spread global awareness about the disease. Experts treating diabetes, nutritional consultants, dietitian, counsellors, doctors, nurses, and medical advisors collaborate on this critical day to raise awareness about diabetes. It is a boon to patients suffering from the disease.

Medical experts advise the general public on the importance of maintaining a healthy balanced diet and the necessity to include fresh fruits and vegetables in our diet. Food plays a vital role in controlling blood glucose levels at an average level. The intake of grains, legumes, dairy foods and high protein diets help maintain a healthful lifestyle.

Diabetes can also be managed through an active lifestyle. Patients need to engage themselves more in physical activities; they should keep a check on their body weight, say not to sugar-coated foods and sweets, avoid refined flours, reduce beverages and most importantly, stay away from sweeteners.

World Diabetes Day is another way of telling the population not to use low-calorie sweeteners that have been doing the rounds in markets of late. Many people are unaware of their side effects, and medical companies have been advertising their brands for selling their products. Through campaigns and expert advice, wrong notions about the usage of these products can be tackled.

With a healthy lifestyle in place, we can control and monitor blood glucose levels, thereby keeping diabetes worries at bay.

FAQ’s on World Diabetes Day 2021

1. Is there a National Diabetes Day?

There is a National Diabetes Week organized in Australia from 12th to July 18th.

2. Is there a symbol for diabetes?
There is a worldwide symbol currently used to represent diabetes, which is the ‘Blue Circle’.

3. What is the leading cause of diabetes?

The inability of the body to produce sufficient amounts of insulin is the leading cause of diabetes.

4. What are the six types of diabetes?

The six types of diabetes are – Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood, Maturity onset diabetes of the young and neonatal diabetes mellitus.