…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
UK sees over 5 million diabetes cases for the first time as obesity rates rise, warns Diabetes UK.
Almost 4.3 million people have been diagnosed with the condition and an estimated 850,000 are living with the condition without a formal diagnosis.
Diabetes UK also estimated that more than 2.4 million people in the UK are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The charity warned that the country is experiencing a “rapidly escalating diabetes crisis” and that the number of people with type 2 diabetes is increasing, particularly among those under the age of 40 and in areas of deprivation.
According to Diabetes UK, around 9 out of 10 cases of diabetes are type 2, which is frequently associated with obesity or inactivity.
The condition causes blood sugar levels to rise excessively.
The charity expressed concerns that the high percentage of overweight and obese adults in England, at approximately 64%, is contributing to a rise in type 2 diabetes.
The charity stressed that risk factors for type 2 diabetes are “multiple and complex”, including age, family history, ethnicity, as well as being overweight or obese.
Diabetes UK has called for the government to include diabetes as a key part of its upcoming major conditions strategy, which aims to reduce the prevalence of diseases and support individuals at high risk of contracting them.
Without proper care and support, people with diabetes are at risk of experiencing serious side effects, such as vision loss, amputations, strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.
The charity urges individuals to be aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes and to use Diabetes UK’s free online tool, Know Your Risk, to identify their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Commenting on the crisis, Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said that with the right care and support, cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or put into remission.
He called for determination from the government and local health leaders to prevent the crisis from worsening and improve the future health of the nation.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care has responded by saying that the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, the largest programme of its kind globally, has helped over 18,000 people to avoid type 2 diabetes by providing expert advice on healthy eating and exercise.
The Major Conditions Strategy will cover type 2 diabetes, the department added, and will help reduce pressure on the NHS.
It has also been working to promote healthier choices by restricting the sale of high-fat, salt, or sugar foods and introducing calorie labelling on menus.