Increase in Diabetes Cases In West Midlands

Tue, 01 Nov 2011

The number of diabetics in the West Midlands has increased in the last year as obesity levels have increased.

Latest figures highlight an increase in 14,000 more diabetics have been diagnosed, specifically with type 2 diabetes, which is weight related.

Birmingham has been given the title of fattest European city with 29 per cent of adults being obese .

The diabetes charity, Diabetes UK, has stated that there are now 284,970 diabetics in the West Midlands.

Around ten per cent of NHS money is spent on diabetes and related complications, this equates to £9 billion p.a. or £1 million per hour.

Diabetes is increasing at a phenomenal rate with a massive impact on humans and the NHS.

Rates for heart disease, cancers and strokes remain steady or are decreasing however the diabetes epidemic is growing at a quicker rate.

This trend has to be reversed if more people are going to be spared from suffering from diabetes and if the NHS is not going to be bankrupted.

There are simple things which can be done to attempt to keep diabetes at bay.

A weight loss of ten per cent lowers your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50 per cent.

The increase is mainly in cases of Type 2 diabetes which accounts for 90 per cent of all diagnoses.

Type 2 diabetes usually affects those who are overweight . Diabetes UK is warns people to be wary of risk factors, such as, a big waist, being 40 years plus, having diabetes in the family, or being from African Caribbean or Asian or being from minority ethnic communities.

Risky waist measurements are 37 inches or more in men, with men of South Asian origin being at risk at 35 inches or more, and 31.5 inches or more for all women.

Diabetes UK has an online set up so families can check whether or not they are at risk of diabetes: diabetes.org.uk/riskscore

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