Diabetes and obesity rate climbing

Despite the best preventative efforts, rates of diabetes and obesity in the UK are continuing to climb. As people live for longer than ever, obesity rates in the UK are amongst the top 15 in the European Union .
A divide between the north and the south of the country remains evident. Life expectancy in the north remains lower than in the south. The report, Health Profile of England 2007, examined obesity statistics.
The decade that ended in 2005 saw obesity soar by some 40 per cent. Amongst women, the rate climbed by 35 per cent, whilst children saw an increase of over 50 per cent.
The chief executive of Diabetes UK, Douglas Smallwood, reportedly commented: “Tackling both type 1 and type 2 diabetes must be a priority for the government. There are now 2.2 million people in the UK living with the condition and up to a further 750,000 who have type 2 diabetes but don’t know it, all of whom are potentially facing years of ill health and reduced life expectancy.”