Diabetes could become an epidemic

The Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation is predicting a 300pc rise in the number of people affected by Type 2 Diabetes, though other experts say this figure is possibly a little high. In a new report from the DRWF it is indicated that an epidemic of type two diabetes is to occur. If left untreated or mismanaged the condition can lead to heart disease, blindness and kidney failure. It is also estimated that 1m people nationally are unaware they even have it. There is an urgent need to address prevention of diabetes. As body fat increases the risk of developing diabetes grows. The more fat we have, the less we are able to respond to insulin, causing insulin resistance and glucose intolerance which are precursors of type two diabetes.

There are differing views as to how the figures will grow over the coming years. Currently 2% of the population has diabetes, of which 90 to 95pc have type two diabetes. There is a higher incidence of diabetes, from 3pc to 5pc, in people from Southern Asia and other ethnic groups and we have a significant number of those people living here. Once diabetes has developed there is no cure, it is just a case of managing it, and managing it everyday. People who have diabetes are not aware of the problems caused by the condition. But later they are affected by heart disease, or by non-healing wounds. Hence it is well worth trying to prevent it.