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Obesity 'fuelling diabetes timebomb'

09/06/2008

Rising levels of obesity are putting the UK on course for a diabetes 'explosion', a charity has warned today.

Estimates released by Diabetes UK say there could be more than four million people in the UK with diabetes by 2025.

This is nearly double the 2.3 million people currently diagnosed with diabetes.

Expanding waistlines are connected with the predicted rise as obesity is a risk factor for the disease.

Last year a report warned that if current levels continue about a quarter of children, 60 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women will be obese by 2050.

Diabetes UK warns that the increase in cases of diabetes will have major consequences on the general health of the UK population as it is a serious condition that can lead to complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and amputation.

Douglas Smallwood, the charity's chief executive, described the figures as "shocking" and said they "confirm that diabetes is one of the main health challenges facing the UK today".

"Awareness and prevention are crucial if we want to avert this future health crisis and see the number of people with type two diabetes fall," he added.

"We need to encourage people to reduce their risk of developing the condition by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight and leading an active lifestyle."