Be healthy to avoid diabetes – medics
WEST Lancashire residents have been urged to eat healthily and be more active to help reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes during Diabetes Prevention Week.
It is estimated that more than 3,800 people in Lancashire are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes which can lead to other serious conditions including strokes, heart disease, limb amputation and early death.
Diabetes and its complications cost over £6bn every year to treat and one in six patients in hospital has diabetes.
Around nine out of 10 people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes which is closely linked to obesity and yet is largely preventable by eating healthily, being more active and losing weight.
GPs and other healthcare professionals in West Lancashire have been using Diabetes Prevention Week to urge residents to find out if they are at risk and act to improve their future health.
The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free local service for those who are at risk of Type 2 diabetes.
The programme is designed to stop or delay the onset of the disease through a range of personalised lifestyle interventions, including education on lifestyle choices, advice on how to reduce weight through healthier eating and bespoke physical activity programmes.
More than 1,800 people have already been referred to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme in Lancashire, with more than 750 people taking up the offer.
Residents can check to see if they are at risk of Type 2 diabetes at diabetes.org. uk/risk.
Mike Maguire, chief officer at NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “By adopting a more active lifestyle, we can all reduce our risk of developing type two diabetes. “This doesn’t necessarily have to involve expensive gym memberships, simply getting up and walking or joining a free activity such as parkrun. The NHS recommends that we all aim for 10,000 steps a day.
“Also changing your diet to cut out the junk food and eating more fruit and vegetables will not only help to make you look better, but feel better.
“If you are concerned about type two diabetes or want to learn more about how best to avoid it, please speak to your GP.”