Slimming World to change child diabetes reference in booklets

A major UK weight loss programme has removed a diabetes reference to children in one of its booklets.
Slimming World has agreed that a line about the condition in an article entitled It’s a Family Affair had not made clear the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
It read: “It’s no secret that many children are eating less healthily, have a less active lifestyle and are suffering from weight-related problems like diabetes at a much earlier age.”
The type 1 diabetes charity JDRF and a number of its supporters contacted the organisation to highlight it is only type 2 diabetes which is related to lifestyle and obesity.
After receiving the feedback, Slimming World has agreed to review the pamphlet and remove the reference in future reprints.
Carolyn Pallister, dietitian and public health manager for Slimming World said: “As a trusted weight loss organisatio, it’s really important to us that the information we provide to our members is clear and accurate.
“Last week, we received a message about a line in one of our booklets that talked about ‘weight-related conditions like diabetes’ without specifying that only type 2 diabetes is lifestyle-related. We recognise that this could have been clearer.
“Following a review by our nutrition and research team, we have removed this mention of diabetes from the booklet so that it won’t be included in any future reprints.”
JDRF’s UK chief executive Karen Addington said: “JDRF welcomes the move by Slimming World to remove this mention of diabetes, weight gain and children.
“Type 1 diabetes is not a ‘weight-related problem’ and public misunderstandings do not make things any easier for families affected by the condition.”