Charity in diabetes action call

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Diabetes UK called on the Government to lead the battle against Type 2 diabetes, which is closely associated with lifestyle and obesity.

According to the latest figures from information registered by GPs, the number of people in Britain diagnosed with diabetes has shot up by 100,000 in just the last year.

A total of 2.3 million Britons are now diagnosed diabetics, and the vast majority have the Type 2 disease. A further 750,000 are believed to have Type 2 diabetes without knowing it.

Speaking on World Diabetes Day, chief executive Douglas Smallwood said: "Diabetes UK is calling for immediate action on Type 2 diabetes and obesity to prevent future generations facing a lifetime of ill-health and an early grave.

"Type 2 diabetes is the biggest health challenge of our time. We need to take collective and individual responsibility for this devastating issue, which means Government must work with all sections of society to enable them to live healthier lives.

"After all, studies have shown that changes to diet and levels of exercise can reduce new cases of Type 2 diabetes by 58%. This proves that we really can make a difference and begin to defuse the diabetes timebomb."

Around the world, an estimated 246 million people have diabetes. Type 1 diabetes shortens a person's lifespan by up to 20 years, and Type 2 by up to 10 years.

Diabetes is characterised by a lack of insulin, or a poor response to the hormone, which regulates the way sugar is used as an energy source for cells.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which occurs when the body's immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. It often begins in childhood or adolescence. With Type 2, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, insulin is produced normally at first but the body becomes resistant to it. Eventually, insulin production by the pancreas also falls.