Shocking statistics have been published revealing that one person is diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes, most as a consequence of poor lifestyle and weight problems. For the past few years, we have been warned that the consequences of Britain’s obesity problem are about to make themselves very apparent - and that point seems to have now been reached. Official figures revealed by charity Diabetes UK have shown that of the staggering number of people developing the illness - 150,000 cases last year - most of them were middle aged and have type 2 diabetes, linked to obesity caused by lifestyle. This specific form of diabetes can have extremely serious complications, including blindness, amputation and heart attack.
The figures are particularly disturbing because they show a 50,000 increase from the year before, indicating that the nation’s habits are getting worse. Doctors have warned that the true impact of this crisis will not be revealed for some years yet, as the vast numbers of patients currently developing weight-related illnesses are not yet at the point where their conditions lead to death. The director of the National Obesity Forum, Dr. David Haslam, is unhopeful for the future: “The cynics have been saying we are not seeing the rises in premature deaths that people like me have been warning about.
But that is because the obesity epidemic only really started about 30 years ago, meaning people have not yet reached the age where they will die prematurely. What these figures clearly show is that these premature deaths will come. I hope they will bring it home to people that losing weight is not just about looking good.”
The Health Department has claimed that the rise in diabetes cases is partly due to an ageing population. While this may be true - the prevalence of middle-aged sufferers seems to support the theory - it doesn’t really change the bleak future faced by millions. The government has recently launched it multi-million pound campaign Change for Life, geared at encouraging us to live well, exercise and shun the junk food. It is to be hoped its impact will be rapid and striking.