Thousands of Scots have diabetes 'needlessly' say experts

Published on Tuesday 2 June 2009 22:01

CAMPAIGNERS yesterday warned that thousands of people in Scotland needlessly have Type 2 diabetes caused by lack of exercise and being overweight.

There are more than 180,000 people in Scotland with Type 2 diabetes and 80 per cent of these cases – 144,000 – could have been prevented by people adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity.

Charity Diabetes UK is launching a national Measure Up roadshow, touring Scotland to warn about the links between weight and diabetes.

Across the UK diabetes is the fastest-growing long-term condition and by 2025, there will be an estimated four million people with diabetes – 400,000 in Scotland.

Most of the cases will be Type 2 diabetes, increasing costs for the NHS.

Type 2 diabetes can remain undetected for ten years or more, meaning 50 per cent of people have complications by the time they are diagnosed.

The Diabetes UK roadshow will help people find out more about the disease and discover whether they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

It runs from June to December and will visit ten Scottish locations – Aberdeen, Elgin, Dundee, Stirling, Greenock, Ullapool, Inverness, Dumfries, Kirkcaldy and Glasgow.

Jane-Claire Judson, the national director for Diabetes UK Scotland, said: "Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing us today.

"It's frightening that there are more than 90,000 people in Scotland that have Type 2 diabetes but have no idea they do.

"I would urge everyone who can to visit the roadshow. It could be the best thing you ever did for your health."