Kirklees residents urged to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes

Kirklees residents are being urged to eat healthily and be more active in order to help reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes during Diabetes Prevention Week (16-22 April 2018).

It is estimated that nearly 40,000 people across the whole of Kirklees are currently at risk of developing type 2 diabetes – which can lead to other serious conditions including strokes, heart disease, limb amputation and early death.

Nationally, diabetes and its complications cost over £6 billion 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.  Type 2 diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40, though in South Asian people, who are at greater risk, it often appears from the age of 25.

GPs and other healthcare professionals in Kirklees are using Diabetes Prevention Week to urge residents to find out if they are at risk and take action to improve their future health.

Dr Steve Ollerton, Clinical Leader, NHS Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “If you are overweight or obese, you have an increased risk of developing diabetes. The good news is that there are plenty of steps you can take to reduce the risk, such as making simple lifestyle changes to your diet and exercise regime.”

Dr David Kelly, Chair, NHS North Kirklees CCG, added: “Diabetes Prevention Week is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes and measures to help prevent it.”

You can check to see if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes at www.diabetes.org.uk/risk. Further information about diabetes can be found on the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes