Rising worldwide obesity rates revealed in new research

[DCUK NewsBot]

One in eight people worldwide will have type 2 diabetes by 2045 if obesity rates continue to grow, new research suggests. The findings revealed by UK and Danish researchers are concerning, but there is reason for optimism, particularly as more and more people are able to put their type 2 diabetes into remission through adopting a healthy lifestyle. Findings from the DiRECT trial have shown that a very low-calorie diet can normalise blood sugars in adults with type 2 diabetes so they no longer need medication, while more than 40% of people with type 2 diabetes who use our very own Low Carb Program eliminate at least one diabetes medication one year after completion. Unfortunately, worldwide obesity rates remain worryingly high. In 2017, 14% of the global population was obese and 9% had type 2 diabetes. At the European Congress on Obesity in Vienna, researchers suggested that 22% of the population will be obese by 2045 and 14% will have type 2 diabetes. "The global prevalence of obesity and diabetes is projected to increase dramatically unless prevention of obesity is significantly intensified," said Dr Alan Moses of Novo Nordisk Research and Development in Søborg, Denmark. The research team, which included scientists from University College London, noted that in the UK obesity rates are predicted to rise from 32% to 48% in 2045, while type 2 diabetes rates will increase from 10.2% to 12.6%. To tackle this rise, the government launched a sugar tax earlier this year, and a ban for online junk food adverts targeting children was introduced in 2017. Prominent health experts are campaigning to combat the role of sugar in obesity, with Dr Aseem Malhotra, author of the Pioppi Diet speaking in European Parliament earlier this year about how it is sugar, not fat, that is the culprit. Towards the end of last year, a worrying report was released revealing that not enough doctors are aware that type 2 diabetes remission can occur. Benedict Jephcote, Editor of Diabetes.co.uk, said: "There are many news articles telling us what is going wrong with health but not enough saying what people can do about their own health. Fortunately, at Diabetes.co.uk, we can point people towards a program that is helping to improve people’s diabetes and help others to prevent diabetes from developing. This is very encouraging."

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