Justin Tomlinson MP at a Diabetes UK event earlier this year
The Diabetes UK’s Healthy Lifestyle Roadshow, supported by Bupa, is coming to Havelock Square in Swindon on 4 and 5 July from 9am to 5pm to offer people in the area a free risk assessment to discover whether they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Justin Tomlinson MP said “An estimated 1,900 people in Swindon have Type 2 diabetes but are unaware they have the condition. The roadshows aim to tackle this by highlighting risk factors and encouraging members of the public to change their lifestyles, because 60% of Type 2 diabetes could be prevented through lifestyle change. I urge local residents to take this opportunity to take the test.”
Diabetes is one of the most common conditions affecting people in the UK today; 3.7 million people have the condition, which currently costs the NHS almost £10 billion each year . If the condition is not diagnosed early enough, or is left untreated, it is more likely to lead to devastating complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.
The roadshow will raise awareness of risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, which include:
• Being overweight or having a large waist size (37 inches or more for men, except those of South Asian origin who are at risk at 35 inches or more, and 31.5 inches or more for women);
• Being over 40 years of age (or over 25 in Black and South Asian people); and
• Having a close relative with diabetes.
Diabetes UK staff will offer free diabetes risk assessment tests, which indicate a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the next 10 years. If this risk is moderate to high, people will be referred to their GP for further advice or tests. An on-site dietitian will also be available to advise on how to make small, positive lifestyle changes – such as adopting a diet low in fat, salt and sugar, and taking regular physical activity, which can have a significant impact on preventing someone from developing the condition.
As diabetes can often go undiagnosed for several years, it is important for people to seek advice if they are experiencing symptoms including: urinating more often and especially at night, increased thirst, extreme tiredness, unexplained weight loss, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush, slow healing of cuts or wounds and blurred vision.
Graham Cooper, South West Regional Manager said: “Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK today. We estimate there are 850,000 people in the UK who are at risk of developing the condition, but worryingly, there are around 1,900 people in Swindon alone that have Type 2 diabetes but have no idea they do. I would urge everyone who can to visit the Diabetes UK’s Healthy Lifestyle Roadshow. It could be the best thing you ever do for your health.”
The Healthy Lifestyle roadshows are being supported by money raised from the Bupa Great Run Series, for which Diabetes UK is the nominated charity partner.
Anyone unable to attend the Roadshow can still assess their risk of diabetes by taking the free Diabetes UK Risk Score test online at www.diabetes.org.uk/roadshow/riskscore1. If after taking the test they are found to be at moderate or high risk of developing the condition they should visit their GP.