`I plan to keep up the motivation level of the participants so that they don't drop out. I will also liaise with the doctors, participants, dietitians and lab technicians' -- Neath-Myrie The Bermuda Diabetes Association will launch their first ever long-term research study later this month.

And the head of the follow-up study to the Epidemiology Project plans to make sure the 100 participants will not join the swelling ranks of those with the disease.

Jacqui Neath-Myrie, the research coordinator for the ten-year investigative project, said a major goal of the project was to be able to show that a proper diet and exercise could help fend off diabetes.

Diabetes -- a major problem on the Island -- comes about when the body cannot properly convert sugar and starch. It is due to a deficiency in the production or effectiveness of the hormone insulin. It can lead to severe health problems.

"I'm excited about this,'' she said. "I'm really looking forward to it and I'm determined to make sure that none of the participants develop diabetes.'' The long-term research project will focus solely on those with impaired glucose tolerance.

"Impaired glucose tolerance is when the body is not using food properly,'' she explained. "A large amount of it remains in the blood. These individuals have a high risk of becoming diabetic.'' The study will include participants from the Bermuda Diabetes Epidemiology Project 1996.

Some 1,066 locals interviewed for the study and 999 completing both an interview and clinic visits in the first-ever epidemiology study on diabetes in Bermuda.

The study revealed that 10.7 percent of adult Bermudians or one in nine adults, over the age of 18 have diabetes.

In the 35-64 years age group, 12 percent or almost one in eight Bermudians, have diabetes and in the 65 plus age group, almost one in three women and one in five men have diabetes.

And the Island's diabetes and impaired glucose intolerance rates were higher than the global rate.

When the results were announced last May, Bermuda Diabetes Association president George Smith stressed the need for follow-up work on the study.

"It's pointless to spend so much time and money on doing a project such as this to put it on the shelf,'' Mr. Smith had said.

The study will provide the Island with a base to compare and measure future data.

Mrs. Neath-Myrie said about half of the 59 people identified with impaired glucose tolerance from the project will be taking part in the follow-up study.

"We will put them on a proper diet and exercise programme and we'll monitor them via regular testing,'' she explained.

Participants will visit King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for dietary evaluation and then return three times a year for blood tests and blood pressure readings.

And Mrs. Neath-Myrie said there were still openings for those who want to take part.

"We are still trying to reach the 100 participant goal,'' she said. "But it is only for impaired glucose sufferers.'' Those interested should contact their doctor who will in turn notify Mrs.

Neath-Myrie.

"We will be accepting referrals up to April,'' she added.

And as the research coordinator of the first long-term study by the Bermuda Diabetes Association, Mrs. Neath-Myrie said she believed it was her job to make sure participants stick out the project.

"I plan to keep up the motivation level of the participants so that they don't drop out,'' she said. "I will also liaise with the doctors, participants, dietitians and lab technicians.'' Mrs. Neath-Myrie also said that an interim report on how the study was evolving would likely be released about midway through the ten-year project.

The first meeting for the project will be held on February 18 at 6 p.m. on the first floor conference room at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

SWEET SUCCESS -- Jacqui Neath-Myrie will head up the Bermuda Diabetes Association's first long-term research project which gets underway next month.

Participants will be monitored over a ten-year period.