Obesity levels blamed for diabetes surge

11:35am Saturday 28th October 2006

SHOCKING new figures show diabetes has doubled in Selby and York in the past seven years - and rising obesity levels carry much of the blame.

Disturbing statistics from York Hospital show there were 8,880 people in the Selby and York area with a confirmed case of diabetes in June this year.

But the report added that the actual figure was more likely to be 9,450, if the zero to 17 age group was taken into account.

Obesity is a major cause of Type Two or "maturity onset" diabetes, which can lead to serious complications like strokes, angina and eye problems.

In 1999, there were 4,683 people in Selby and York with the illness, about 1.7 per cent of residents in the area.

That figure has risen steadily over the years, and now people with diabetes account for about 3.2 per cent of the local population.

Dr Jeffrie Strang, a public health director for North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT), said growing obesity levels coupled with increasing physical inertia had a big part to play. A rise in diagnosis by GPs was also a factor.

Between 2001 and 2015, it was estimated there would be a 15 per cent rise in the illness, of which six per cent would be down to the increasing age of the population but the reminder would be due to expanding waistlines.

"From a public health point of view we are very worried about it," he said. "There's a real strong message out there for the population, if you haven't got diabetes and you're overweight, go for brisk walks be physically active instead of being a slob in front of the TV.

"It's having a healthy lifestyle appropriate to your own circumstances. Many families just don't go for a walk any more. Nobody gets on their bike and goes out as a family."

People with diabetes could also dramatically improve their situation by adopting a healthier lifestyle, he added.

Diabetes Mellitus is caused by too much glucose in the blood and is divided into two types.

In Type One, the body produces little or no insulin.

It is more serious and people usually get it before they are 40.

In Type Two, the body either does not make enough insulin or cannot use it properly.

It usually occurs in people over the age of 40 and accounts for the vast majority of cases of the illness.

Four-fifths of people with Type Two diabetes are overweight.

The York Hospital report revealed how health chiefs were putting in place the National Service Framework for Diabetes. Measures included educational programmes, insulin pump training for type one patients, and eye screening.