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Date: November 13, 2016

To: Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
CC: Dr. Laura Pigozzi
From: Lexie Heaver
Subject: Analytical Report

Attached is the final report on the requested topic of diabetes. This report focuses specifically on
the difference between type I and type II diabetes. After extensive research from multiple types
of sources, conducting a survey, and conducting an interview, this report provides relevant
information on the dangers and differences between type I and type II diabetes.

The end goal is that this information will help community members better understand what
diabetes is and how these two types differ, and what the dangers of each entail. We hope to
prevent people from getting diabetes by emphasising the importance of getting tested and
keeping an eye out for symptoms. We also hope that by educating on this topic, we are able to
answer questions and address concerns from members of Sagrado.

Feel free to contact me by email at heave005@umn.edu with any further questions or concerns.

What is the Difference?

Analyzing the Differences Between Type I and
Type II Diabetes

Lexie Heaver
University of Minnesota
11/10/2016

Table of Contents
Abstract

Introduction

Results
Survey
Interview
Print Sources

8
8
11
12

Discussion
Survey Significance
What is Diabetes?
What is the Difference Between Type I and Type II Diabetes?
Presentation

12
12
13
13
15

Recommendations

17

Limitations

17

Conclusion

18

Works Cited

18

Appendix A - Sample Survey

19

Appendix B - Interview Questions

21

Abstract
Changing cultures can often be difficult. With a new culture comes new norms, but also the want
to stick to traditional values. This is no different for community members at Sagrado Corazon de
Jesus. Many of these people are immigrants from Spanish speaking countries and, unaware of the
impact to their health, their traditional eating norms can sometimes lead to diabetes. Curious to
learn more, community members asked to learn more about this chronic disease.

Diabetes is a very large topic, spanning from sub topics like nutrition and diet to symptoms and
screening. This particular report will focus on the differences between type I and type II diabetes.
Research began with a survey about diabetes that was passed out to ten people at Sagrado and,
with the results, relevant information was researched. In addition to online research, an interview
was conducted with a Sagrado Corazon de Jesus liaison.

The conducted research had produced sufficient information and advice for concerned
community members at Sagrado.

Introduction
Many people have heard of diabetes, it is not an unknown disease, but just because someone
might know of something doesnt mean that they know much about it. For example, not
everyone that knows of diabetes will know about the differences between type I and type II
diabetes. This report will primarily focus on this question; what is the difference between type I
and type II diabetes?

In order to fully understand diabetes, and to be prepared if diagnosed, learning the difference
between type I and type II diabetes is very important. There are also many benefits to
understanding the difference between type I and type II diabetes. For example, symptoms for
both types may be similar, but one might go on for years before being diagnosed. This is because
type II diabetes tends to have symptoms that do not come on as fast as symptoms from type I
diabetes (Iliades, 2013, para. 6). It is important to understand this difference when considering
whether or not to be screened for diabetes. Just because the symptoms dont seem severe enough
doesnt mean it is not a problem.

This report will explain the steps taken in conducting research, how that research was made
relevant to the Sagrado community, and what was concluded from that research. This content
was organized into four sections: method, results, method, and conclusion.

Method
Research for this report came from three different types of sources. All print sources came from
peer-reviewed journal articles found through databases. These sources tended to provide the
most accurate information, coinciding with graphs and statistics that were helpful in emphasising
facts. Electronic sources were also researched and analyzed. These sources offer more simplistic
information that often appeal to a variety of audiences. Finally, empirical research was also
conducted. For this report, a survey was passed out to ten members of Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
and an interview was conducted with Sagrado liaison Francisco Ramirez. The various types of
sources offered relevant, most accurate, and various information possible.

The empirical research collected for this report had started with a survey (see Appendix A for
survey questions). Questions on the survey ranged from multiple choice, yes or no, and short
answer. The short answer only required about a sentence long response. The survey was also
written in Spanish and English for the convenience of the survey taker. After asking a few
Sagrado members, Sister Margaret was kind enough to hand out the survey to ten community
members. Sister Margaret is in charge of health education activities at the church, and has
worked with Francisco Ramirez, the man interviewed for this project. After about a week, Sister
Margaret had the surveys filled out and returned to be analyzed.

Within a week of receiving the surveys, a time was set to meet with Francisco Ramirez.
Francisco works for Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota; there, he works with
surrounding spanish speaking communities to emphasise the importance of being healthy.

Francisco specializes in diabetes, making him the perfect candidate to interview about diabetes
and how to best present information to this particular community (see Appendix B for interview
questions). The interview was conducted in Franciscos office at Fairview Southdale Hospital in
Edina. It was not recorded, but notes were taken during the interview. Questions were largely
based off responses from the survey handed out prior to the interview.

Print sources found were located in databases provided by the University of Minnesota. Many of
these articles focus on what diabetes is as a disease, and what the specific differences are
between type I and type II diabetes. Many databases were used in conducting research. This
provides a large variety of information on diabetes. For example, certain databases offered a
medicine standpoint, while others offered a physiological standpoint. All resources found on
these databases were filtered to show peer-reviewed articles only. This ensures that the articles
are reliable and accurate.

Lastly, the American Diabetes Associations website was used as an electronic source in this
report. Finding an electronic source can be risky because there is a chance of finding false
information. However, the American Diabetes Association is a well-known organization founded
by physicians. This ensures that the website can be trusted.

The variety of sources, and particularly the selected sources, offer a sufficient understanding of
diabetes and the differences between type I and type II diabetes. The information found in print

and electronic sources contain more concrete information and facts, while the empirical
resources offer a more personal and relatable approach to this topic.

Results

Survey
The following four charts display the results from the survey handed out to community members.
The charts were only created for questions that contained multiple choice or yes-no questions.
Responses to short answer questions are featured later in this section. A sample of the survey
handed out is available in Appendix A. Seven adult females and three adult males participated in
this survey.

Featured above (Figure 1) is a chart showing survey results. These particular results are from
yes or no questions only.

The chart to the right (Figure 2)

features answers to a multiple choice
question. One male had answered 30
minutes, while two males answered
More than 60 minutes because they
both had physical labor jobs. One
female answered 15 minutes, three
females answered 30 minutes, one
answered 45 minutes, and two answered More than 60 minutes.

The chart to the left (Figure 3)

displays answers to the second
multiple choice question. One
male answered Every Day,
while two males answered 1
time a week. Three females
had answered Every Day, two
answered 2-3 times a week, and two had answered 1 time a week.

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Figure 4 features answers from the

final multiple choice question. Two
males answered Yes, my distant
relative has diabetes, and one
answered No, I dont have diabetes,
or anyone in my family or any
distant relatives. Five females
answered Yes, my parents, sibling,
or child does, and two had answered Yes, my distant relative has diabetes.

Aside from multiple choice and yes-no questions, the survey had featured three short answer
questions. When asked What is the difference between type I and type II diabetes? only one
person out of ten had responded. Their answer was Type I is more serious.

The survey also included the question Where have you been screened? only if the survey taker
had been previously screened. Most popular answers were: doctor, Park Nicollet Clinic,
Hospital, Health Fair at Sagrado, and Whittier Clinic.

When asked Is there a specific question about the onset or early signs of diabetes? one person
had responded and asked How easy is it to get diabetes? and one other had asked What is the
difference between the 2 types? Others had suggested to learn more about questions that were
present on the survey.

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Interview
Empirical research was done in the form of a survey and an interview. The main purpose of this
interview was to determine how to best communicate the findings of this research to Sagrado
community members. Other questions were also asked with relation type I and type II diabetes.
The interviewee was Francisco Ramirez and he was interviewed on November 9, 2016. He was
physician trained in Mexico and is now working as a Community Health Worker at Fairview
Southdale in Edina, Minnesota.

When asked which method would be best to present findings from this study to Sagrado
community members, he had suggested that PowerPoint presentations, with lots of graphics, was
the best way. He also gave a run-down of how he presents information when teaching diseases to
similar communities. He said that he starts by giving a definition, continues to risk factors, then
concludes with symptoms. Francisco also noted that using definitions, numbers, and graphics all
throughout will keep community members engaged and attentive. He found that this was the best
way to relay information to this particular community.

It was hard to find questions to ask Francisco pertaining to the main topic. After all, he is a
physician and is well educated in the field of diabetes. However, he was approached with the
question, Do you think community members would benefit from learning the difference
between type I and type II diabetes, he enthusiastically responded with, Yes! Absolutely!

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Print Sources
Print sources analyzed were found on databases provided by the University of Minnesota. Only
peer-reviewed sources were considered for analyzing. Most print sources that were found carried
very similar content; they mentioned what diabetes is, why people should care, risk factors, and
symptoms. In order to compare between the two types of diabetes, sources that were found either
focused mainly on one type, to be compared later in this report, or compared the two types
within them. To view citation of the sources found and discussed, view the Works Cited page
at the end of this report.

Discussion

Survey Significance
The results of the survey showcase many interesting things about how the people of Sagrado
feel. A more interesting statistic is in the answers to the question Do you know the difference
between Type I and Type II diabetes? Figure 1 shows that eight out of the ten people surveyed
do not know the difference between the two types of diabetes. In a short answer question, one
person had also asked, what is the difference between the two types? This result suggested that
comparing type I and type II diabetes would be beneficial and educational for members of
Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.

Being physical can help prevent type II diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight. The survey
included the question Which number most accurately describes your daily physical activity?

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(Including work and school) (Figure 3) to allow for a better understanding of community
members lifestyles. The more interesting result from this question is that two of the three males
that participated in this survey said More than 60 minutes because they have physical labor
job. This provided a good idea of how some men in this community get their exercise; through
their jobs.

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is one of the most common disease among all age groups and all populations. It is also
chronic, meaning that is it is long lasting, in this case a lifetime, cant be prevented by
medication, and will not disappear on its own (Diabetes Basics, American Diabetes
Association). According to Thomas Mandrup-Paulson (1998), diabetes is caused by inadequate
insulin secretion or impaired insulin action, or both (para. 2). Insulin is a hormone made in the
pancreas that stores and uses glucose, which comes from sugar that we eat. Insulin is in charge of
bringing these sugars to various organs and muscles to use for energy. There are many factors
that contribute to diabetes. Some of these factors are genetic, and others are environmental, but
there is no single factor that causes diabetes; it is a mixture of many. To date, there is no known
cure to diabetes, only ways to treat it (Diabetes Basics, American Diabetes Association).

What is the Difference Between Type I and Type II Diabetes?

Type I diabetes is when the body cannot produce insulin. This type is only found in people that
are genetically susceptible, however, it is still unknown what genes are susceptible (Diabetes,
n.d., para. 5). Type I diabetes often develops in early childhood or adolescence, but can still be

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diagnosed in adulthood (Kishore, n.d., para. 2). Type I diabetes only accounts for <10% of all
diabetes cases (Kishore, n.d., para. 2).

In contrast, type II diabetes is when the body makes too much insulin, then is unable to keep up
with the amount of insulin needed for the body to function, and eventually becomes insulin
resistant (Type 1 Diabetes, n.d., American Diabetes Association). Type II diabetes occurs in
people that are overweight. The more you weigh, the more insulin the body needs to function.
This is why it can become hard for your pancreas to keep up with needed insulin levels, and
consequently creates a resistance. Over 90% of adults with diabetes have type II diabetes
(Kishore, n.d., para. 2).

Symptoms for both types of diabetes include passing urine more frequently, increase in thirst,
tiredness or fatigue, slow healing of wounds, and blurred vision (Diabetes, n.d., para. 5).
However, these symptoms tend to present themselves more quickly, and more obviously, in
people with type I diabetes. Type II diabetes starts gradually and is usually diagnosed later in
life. It can take years for someone to be diagnosed with type II diabetes (Diabetes, n.d., para.
5). The asymptomatic nature of type II diabetes increases the importance of getting tested.
Routine testing is the only way to detect type II diabetes and, if gone untreated, can cause serious
problems (Kishore, n.d., para. 4).

Even though the symptoms between the two types are similar, risk factors are quite different.
Since type I diabetes genetic, people who have siblings or parents with this type of diabetes,

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should be tested because they are at higher risk. Currently, there are no preventative measures for
people that are at higher risk for type I diabetes (Kishore, n.d., para. 6). People who are at higher
risk for type II diabetes are those who are overweight, lead a sedentary lifestyle, have a family
history of diabetes, or are black, Hispanic, Asian American, or American Indian (Kishore, n.d.,
para. 7). Figure 4 indicates that six people surveyed have family members that are diagnosed
with diabetes. These six particular might be at higher risk of getting diabetes because their family
history indicates that there might be a susceptible gene being inherited; because of this, those six
people should be tested for diabetes to avoid any possible complications. Fortunately, Figure 1
shows that all ten people surveyed have been tested for diabetes.

In both types of diabetes, if left uncontrolled, this disease can create many serious medical
problems. For example, diabetes can cause blindness by affecting arteries in the eyes. Excess
sugar in the body, caused by uncontrolled diabetes, can weaken capillary walls and clog small
vessels and lead to the retina leaking blood (Diabetes: Answers to Common Questions, 2009,
para. 2). Kidneys can also be affected if diabetes is left uncontrolled. Alder et al. mentions that
nearly half of new cases of end-stage kidney disease stem from diabetes (Adler et al., 2000,
para. 25).

Presentation
Presenting this information can be difficult for a couple reasons. Firstly, there are many technical
terms associated with diabetes, which can make it hard to effectively communicate something as
important and complex as this disease. Fortunately, interviewee Francisco Ramirez had advice to

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give in this department. Francisco works closely with many Spanish speaking communities by
teaching bilingual classes on being healthy. He had mentioned that he uses PowerPoint
presentations, and that they are very effective in engaging this community. He went through his
whole presentation process, noting that he starts with a definition, continues with risk factors,
and ends with symptoms. All throughout, he said he uses many definitions, statistics, and
graphics (F. Ramirez, personal communication, November 9, 2016). He also suggested ways to
communicate information that might be fragile to present. For example, he said that some people
might ask questions such as Will this supplement help cure my diabetes?. Preparing for what
might happen, he suggested reminding them that diabetes isnt curable, and that any treatments
they might want to test should be discussed with their physician (F. Ramirez, personal
communication, November 9, 2016).

Francisco also offered some insight on what to specifically research. He had mentioned that
many people might not know what diabetes is, that it is chronic, how it is going to affect their
lives long term, and that there is no cure (F. Ramirez, personal communication, November 9,
2016). Those are four big factors to diabetes, and not knowing the facts about those things can
lead to some negative consequences. This is definitely something that was considered when
doing research, and when creating a deliverable to be presented to the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
community.

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Recommendations
In order to avoid getting diabetes, and the negative consequences of leaving it untreated, the best
thing to do is get tested. Contacting a physician or finding a clinic, perhaps on that was used by
other people and mentioned in the survey, can be life changing. Eating right and getting exercise
can also prevent type II diabetes. Understanding the risks involved in diabetes is important in
encouraging others to get tested. If diagnosed with diabetes, taking the disease seriously by
eating right, being physical, and checking insulin levels is the best way to maintain a healthy
lifestyle.

This report is not intended to give professional medical advice. Any concerns or issues should be
brought up with a professional physician.

Limitations
Ideally, surveys would be given to more than ten Sagrado community members. This would give
more accurate results and it would be easier to identify issues and their concerns. Ten people
worked out for this study, but more surveys could have given a clearer picture on what people do
and dont know about diabetes, specifically the differences between type I and type II.

Given time constraints from peoples schedules, it would have been convenient to spend more
time with the interviewee, Francisco Ramirez. He had a lot of good advice about how to present,

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and a lot of good information about diabetes. More time with him could have offered more
insight about both topics.

Conclusion
This report offered a lot of data about community member's lifestyles through a survey, answers
to their concerns through research, and ways to best communicate this information, with advice
given through an interview. Diabetes is a serious disease that should not be taken lightly. In order
to fully understand its severity, understanding the difference between type I and type II diabetes
is crucial.

The main difference between type I diabetes and type II is in their onset. Type I diabetes usually
comes on quickly, making it easy to detect. This type is also is hereditary, it cannot be prevented.
However, type II diabetes can be in a person for years before they realize it. This type can also
be prevented as long as a person maintains a healthy weight. The Discussion section in this
report offers in depth information about these differences and the Recommendations section
offers advice on how to best prevent diabetes, and what do if diagnosed.

Works Cited
Adler, J., Kalb, C., Springen, K., Figueroa, A., Lauerman, J., Raymond, J. F., & ... Rainey, S.
(2000). Diabetes. Oxford Journals, 136(10), 40.
Iliades, C., (2013). The diabetes diet and blood sugar. EverydayHealth.com, 0(0), para. 6.

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Kishore, P. (2015). Diabetes mellitus. Merck Manual, 1(1), 1-16.

Mandrup-Poulsen, T. (1998). Recent advances: Diabetes. Bmj, 316(7139), 1221-1225.
Diabetes, (2014). Nursing Standard, 28(22), 19. doi:10.7748/ns2014.01.28.22.16.s21
Diabetes: Answers to Common Questions, (2009). Nursing for Womens Health, 12(6), 475.
Diabetes Basics. (n.d.). In American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/?loc=db-slabnav
Type 1 Diabetes. (n.d.). In American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/?loc=util-header_type1

Appendix A - Sample Survey

Diabetes Survey
Conducted by students in Dr. Laura Pigozzis technical and professional writing course at the University
of Minnesota.
Please answer all of the questions to the best of your ability.
1. A. Ha sido comprobado para la diabetes antes? (Have you been screened for diabetes

before?)
Si
B. En caso afirmativo, dnde ir? (If yes, where did you go?)

No
_____________________

C. Si no, cree que sera beneficioso? (If no, do you think it would be beneficial?
S
No
2. Es usted consciente de los sntomas de la diabetes? (Are you aware of the symptoms of
diabetes?)
S
No
3. A. Sabe usted la diferencia entre la diabetes tipo 1 y tipo 2? ( Do you know the difference
between type 1 and type 2 diabetes)
S

No

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B. En caso afirmativo, cul es la diferencia? (If yes, what is the difference?)

____________________
4. Are you familiar with the early signs of diabetes ?

No

5. Is there a specific question you have about the onset or early signs of diabetes ?

6. Qu respuesta se enumeran a continuacin con mayor precisin representa su nivel de

actividad fsica diaria en el trabajo y en su tiempo libre? (Which answer listed below most
accurately represents your level of daily physical activity at work and in your free time?)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

0 minutos
15 minutos
30 minutos
45 minutos
> 60 minutos

7. Usted, un familiar cercano, o un pariente lejano sido diagnosticado con diabetes? (Have you,
a close relative, or a distant relative been diagnosed with diabetes?)
Si, tengo diabetes
a. S, mi padre, hermano, o un nio tiene diabetes.
b. S, mi pariente lejano (abuelo, ta, to, primo) tiene diabetes.
c. No, no tengo la diabetes, ni ningn miembro de mi familia o parientes lejanos.
8. Durante los ltimos 30 das, cuntas veces al comiste habitualmente verduras y hortalizas?
a. Cada da
b. 2-3 veces a la semana
c. una vez por semana
9. Usted, un familiar cercano, o un pariente lejano fumaron?

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Appendix B - Interview Questions

*More questions were asked about other topics. To conserve time, each topic only asked two
questions.
1.) Do you think this community would benefit from learning the difference between type I
and type II diabetes?
2.) How can this information be best presented to this community?