Understanding the Right to Health and Food for the Type 2 Diabetic Patient

The right to health and food are fundamental and basic human rights, and are well established by the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights of the United Nations (ICESCR) [1]. The article number eleven of the ICESCR states: “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions”; and the article twelve of the same covenant recognizes the “right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health” [1]. As a global society, there is now a deeper and comprehensive knowledge of what is the meaning of the human right to health and the challenge is how these standards are to be applied in practice [2]. Diabetes Mellitus describes a group of metabolic disorders characterized by increased blood glucose concentration, and people living with diabetes have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than general population [3]. Type 2 Diabetes in particular is relevant because it is related to living conditions, lifestyle and its prevention is achievable, thus diminishing the cost (economic and psychological) of the disease. Type 2 diabetes, accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes. This form include individuals who have insulin resistance and usually relative insulin deficiency. Most patients, but not all patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, in consequence, management of excess weight through appropriate diet and exercise interventions are key for the prevention of its onset [4].