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Our bodies need nutrients in order to live and function properly. A differentiation is made between those that it needs in large quantities (macro-nutrients) in order to cover its energy requirements, and others which are just as essential but of which it only needs very little (micro-nutrients). The macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. Every cell in your body needs energy to perform normal body functions such as moving, breathing, maintaining your heartbeat and healing damaged tissue. Normally, carbohydrates from your diet supply the types of sugar your body uses as its main source of energy. Your body is also able to produce energy from proteins and fat, but carbohydrates are considered the best source of energy because sugar is the only fuel your brain cells and certain other body cells can use.

Carbohydrates are sugar compounds that can be simple or complex. Complex carbohydrates can be found as starch in cereals, pasta and potatoes, but also in fruit and vegetables. Simpler sugar compounds reach the body, for instance, with sweet dishes and beverages. 55–60 % of our energy intake should originate from complex carbohydrates.

Protein is a basic module of our cells. Via our nutrition, proteins supply our body with important amino-acids. As a source of energy they are useful to it in emergencies, for example during a starvation period. This is not a normal condition, and your body will only start to use muscle tissue for energy under extreme conditions, such as if you are very sick, severely malnourished or not consuming enough calories over an extended period of time to support normal body functions. Foods high in protein are eggs, meat, fish and dairy products, but also pulses, nuts and cereals.

Fat has a very high energy content. We absorb it – usually too much of it – with sausage, cheese, fish, but also with chocolate, olives and nuts. If we permanently get too little exercise, we become overweight or even ill. But fat is not always the same fat. Many of them are unhealthy, such as trans-fats in deep- fried foods. Others are good for us, such as omega-3 fatty acids in saltwater fish.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are three to four times more likely to have

diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Indigenous Australians living in remote areas are twice as likely to have diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians.

The prevalence of diabetes is as high as 30 per cent in some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

The indigenous death rate from diabetes can be up to 17 times higher than that of non-indigenous Australians, mainly due to high levels of heart, blood and kidney problems.

These figures are in part due to the higher rates of obesity, physical inactivity, heart disease, smoking and gestational diabetes in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

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The first step would be to refer Kirsty to her local GP. Then other health professionals Kirsty could seek support from would be a psychologist/counsellor, a registered dietician/nutritionist, or various other local support agencies. Remember that it is not within our scope as Fitness Professionals to diagnose or offer psychological help. However, we can support this person by referring them correctly to someone who can. Work with this person to establish a balanced approach to eating and exercise that is based on enjoyment and health rather than being over focused on weight loss and appearance.