14th November was World diabetes day, diabetes has been on the increase with 3.9 million people in the UK currently suffering with diabetes, this figure is estimated to rise to 5 million by 2025. 56% of those with diabetes are men and 44% are women, 10% of those with diabetes have type 1 diabetes and 90% have type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes can be reduced with lifestyle changes, such as weight management, inactivity and nutrition, obesity accounts for 80 – 85% risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 57% of men and 67% of women in the UK are either overweight or obese and only 39% men and 29% of women are meeting recommended daily activity levels. The number of children under the age of 19 with diabetes is also increasing with the figure estimated at 31.500. The peak age of children being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is 9-14 years of age and 9 – 16 years of age for type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to other health issues such as cardio vascular diseases, kidney disease, eye disease, amputation, depression, neuropathy, sexual dysfunction, dementia, complications during pregnancy and reduced life expectancy.
The cost of diabetes to the NHS is £10 billion per year, diabetes patients account for 1 in 7 taken hospital beds and 1 in 20 diabetics incur social services costs. 10% of the NHS budget is spent on diabetes every year.
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