Diabetes rise sparks deadly diet warning

Published on Monday 8 August 2011 16:18

THE number of people suffering from diabetes will increase four-fold in the Lothians if diet and alcohol habits don't improve, health chiefs have warned.

It is feared as many as 70,000 could be hit by the condition within 20 years, a huge hike on current predictions.

That will have serious consequences for health services, and has prompted NHS Lothian to look at ways to improve prevention.

There are thought to be around 16,000 people in the Lothians currently affected by the disease.

But with alcohol consumption increasing steadily over the years, coupled with poor levels of physical activity and an ageing population, that number is set to soar.

The health board's director of public health Alison McCallum outlined her concerns in her annual report, which showed that across Scotland as many as 350,000 could be affected by 2031.

Previous estimates of around 40,000 sufferers in the Lothians in 20 years' time were based purely on data trends, and did not factor in people's changing body-mass index.

On the assumption there will be no marked improvement in diet and drink consumption, projections have ballooned by almost double.

Dr David Farquharson, NHS Lothian's medical director, said: "The risk of diabetes is closely linked to weight and lifestyle and we expect to see a steep increase in cases over the next 20 years.

"Making lifestyle changes, such as managing your weight, reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, stopping smoking and becoming more active, can all help lower the risk.

"NHS Lothian has a number of projects and services, such as our Small Steps Big Difference campaign and our alcohol brief interventions programme, which are aimed at helping people to make these lifestyle changes and reduce the risk of ill-health."

Charities have called on both the NHS and Scottish Government to up awareness efforts.

Diabetes UK Scotland is holding one such event next month when it visits the Wester Hailes Plaza.

Jane-Claire Judson, the charity's national director, said: "Once again we are seeing a predicted rise in diabetes.

"Diabetes UK Scotland wants to see a reduction in this rate of increase and fewer people who are living with undiagnosed diabetes.

"Many, but not all, people develop type two diabetes because they are overweight or obese so we must do all that we can to follow the 'five fruit and veg a day' message, encourage daily physical activity, and warn of the potentially devastating consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle.

"Failure to act now means a bleak future of spiralling NHS costs and worsening public health."

Exercise can help make it manageable

WHEN Alastair Paisley was diagnosed with diabetes in 2001, he had a decision to make.

Either let the medication take its course, or make lifestyle changes that would make living with the disease all the more bearable.

Now at the age of 73, the Pentlands councillor cycles to work and makes sure he goes on regular walks.

As a result, he hardly needs to check his blood sugar levels, and he believes others should take control of their own health either to prevent the condition's onset altogether, or manage it if they have already been diagnosed.

The Conservative politician said: "When you do these things and take the advice of doctors, it is entirely possible that you can manage your diabetes through diet and exercise.

"I think people should probably be taking more responsibility for managing their own condition."