Half Of People Newly Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Under 35, Survey Shows

Nearly 50% of newly diagnosed people with type 2 diabetes within the last year are aged between 18-34, according to a new UK survey. The Lloyds Pharmacy poll also revealed 56% of respondents said prior to their diagnosis they did not know that the condition led to other serious health conditions, such as neuropathy (nerve damage) and cardiovascular problems. Despite the high figures, 42% said they felt they could have prevented the condition if they had been given more education and 27% said they wish they had understood the risks before they were diagnosed. Professor Melanie Davies CBE, co-director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre and professor of diabetes medicine at the University of Leicester: said: "We have been highlighting this issue for the last five years. There are increasing numbers of people diagnosed at a younger age with type 2 diabetes. "We are now seeing that whilst outcomes for older people with type 2 diabetes are improving they are getting worse in the younger group. We now have children with type 2 diabetes in the clinic and we’re facing the prospect of these younger people being outlived by their parents, which is very depressing." Finding the right advice on preventing and overcoming type 2 diabetes can be problematic. For years, dietary advice has recommended we eat high carb, low fat, but this guideline is being strongly questioned as research is showing that a low carbohydrate intake leads to improved blood sugar and less reliance on medications. Good news from the Lloyds poll was that many people have already taken steps to better their health, with 31% having already lost weight since being diagnosed, 33% have taken up exercise and 33% have completely ditched sugar. Diabetes.co.uk's award-winning Low Carb Program, which can now be prescribed by the NHS, has been shown to be hugely effective in helping people prevent and manage their condition. More than 326,000 people have signed up to the program, a 10-week, evidence-based structured behavioural change programme which shows how a low carbohydrate approach to blood glucose control can help people lose weight, improve their health and wellbeing, and reduce their medication dependency.

Continue reading...