Diabetes UK: sufferers surge to 2.8 million

The number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has increased by more than 150,000 to 2.8 million in the past year, warns Diabetes UK today.

The data, collected from GP practices, also show the nationwide figure of people registered as obese to have risen to over five and half million, an increase of more than 265,000. This now means one in 20 of the population is being treated for diabetes and one in ten for obesity.

Around nine in ten people with diabetes (2.5 million) have Type 2 diabetes, which is strongly linked to being overweight or obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle and eating an unhealthy diet. In many cases the condition can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables but low in fat, sugar and salt.

“Once again we see a shocking rise in diabetes and obesity rates in the UK," said Simon O’Neill, Diabetes UK Director of Care, Information and Advocacy.

Diabetes UK reports have stated that 'minority ethnic communities are among the most vulnerable to the impact of living with a long-term diabetes'.

They have found that minority ethnic individuals are up to six times more likely to develop the condition than white people. Asians 5-6 times higher, with ageing Chinese 3-4, Mauritians 6-10, and Afro-Caribbean 4-5 higher.

They say that, "Many, but not all, people develop Type 2 diabetes because they are overweight or obese”, But they are urging people to keep up the mantra of ‘five fruit and veg a day’, and encourage daily physical activity, warning of the potentially devastating consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle. They have also called on the Government to tackle the problem saying:

“The obesity-fuelled Type 2 diabetes epidemic is a clear example of where the new coalition government’s rhetoric of tackling health problems through prevention must be turned into action. Failure to act now means a bleak future of spiralling NHS costs and worsening public health. "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.”.

The Government will publish a white paper on public health before the end of the year, setting out plans to tackle obesity and help people lead healthier lives.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The Government is committed to tackling obesity to help prevent more serious illness and much bigger costs to the health service and the country in years to come.

"We know that being obese and overweight increases the risk of a range of diseases that can have a significant health impact on individuals, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. "What the Government can do is give people clear, consistent advice on why they should change their lifestyle, how to do so and put in place ways to make it easier."