Diabetes epidemic in Scotland

Tue, 07 Apr 2009
Diabetes experts have made it clear that Scotland is facing a diabetes epidemic, with the number of people suffering from the disease soaring by over 200 every week. According to current diabetes figures, the diabetic population of Scotland now stands at 220,000, some 4.3 per cent of the population.

The increase is largely linked to type 2 diabetes, one type of the condition strongly linked to be overweight or suffering from obesity, as well as having an unhealthy lifestyle and a poor diet.

According to Dr. John McKnight, an expert from the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, causes of type 2 diabetes also include genetic factors. He reportedly commented: "People carrying excess weight are more likely to get diabetes . But there is a genetic element to it, which is recognised. There is also an age element. As you get older, you can make less insulin and your blood sugar tends to rise. The fact that our population is living longer is one of the reasons for this epidemic of diabetes ."

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