Health roadshow touring East End finds hundreds risk Diabetes Type 2
Diabetes UK Roadshow hula hoop demonstrating healthy physical activity - Credit: Diabetes UK
Well over half the people visiting a Healthy Lifestyle roadshow touring London’s East End have had to be referred to their doctors.
They were found to be at risk of Type 2 diabetes, it has been disclosed.
The roadshow organised by the Diabetes UK charity assessed 233 people in Tower Hamlets to identify their chances of developing the condition in the next 10 years—and advised 137 of them to see their GP because of a “moderate to high” chance.
Yet hundreds more face a similar threat, it is estimated—but may not even know it.
“It’s frightening that there are more than 1,000 people in the East End with Type 2 diabetes and have no idea they do,” the charity’s Roz Rosenblatt said.
“There are so many at risk of diabetes, which is one of today’s biggest health challenges.
“But we’ve been available to help people find out more about their personal risk, as well as give advice on living more healthily.”
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The roadshow offered tips on changes such as switching to healthy diets low in fat, salt and sugar and taking regular physical activity.
Eight-out-of-10 cases could be prevented by such changes, the charity points out.
There are 13,121 people who have already been diagnosed with diabetes in Tower Hamlets.
People can go on to healthy lives if it is diagnosed early and managed well, says Bupa, the medical insurance organisation which is backing the roadshow.
But it can lead to serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and even amputation if left untreated or glucose levels are not checked, they warn.
Anyone found to be at moderate or high risk of Type 2 diabetes is advised to see their GP.
