The total number of people with diabetes reaches 4.6 million. While Type 1 diabetes isn’t currently preventable, three in five cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by making healthier choices, by helping people understand their own risk of developing the condition, how to reduce it – and by securing early diagnosis for those known to be at high risk.
There is an estimated 12.3 million people at an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes in the UK alone, and obesity is the leading cause in the majority of preventable cases. Three in five women (59 per cent) and two in three men (68 per cent) are overweight or obese. This is a huge problem in the UK and the figures are increasing daily. With so many at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes − including growing numbers of children − Diabetes UK is calling on the Government to take further action to tackle childhood obesity, by introducing stricter restrictions both on junk food advertising to children, and supermarket price promotions for unhealthy foods.
The common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes that may be overlooked and ignored are:
- Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.
- Being really thirsty.
- Feeling more tired than usual.
- Losing weight without trying to.
- Genital itching or thrush.
- Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.
- Blurred vision.
You can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes by eating better, follow this link to find out how in more detail:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk