Health: Diabetes on the increase in the UK
It was announced today by Diabetes UK that Diabetes and Obesity is on the increase. An additional 150,000 individuals have been added to the total number of those diagnosed with Diabetes sufferers (2.8 million) - this year alone. An increase of around 5%, which equates to roughly 2 people every 7 minutes.
Is this a Diabesity epidemic? YES.
This is a huge burden on the National Health Service, with about 10% of NHS costs attributed to treating diabetes.
What is also concerning is that the figures above don't include those under 17, so the number would be worse if they included children,
Those most likely to be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes are those who are overweight or being of 'normal' weight and having a large waist and those aged over 40. The risk is greater for those age 25 or over for those of Afro-Caribbean and South Asian descent.
Another recent survey conducted in eight countries among 3,000 people with diabetes has revealed that more than one in three people skip doses or fail to take their insulin as prescribed several times a month.
Source: www.diabetes.org.uk
"Diabetes is serious: if not diagnosed early or poorly managed, it can result in blindness and amputation or a shortened life expectancy from heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.”