In the UK, one in 15 of us are living with diabetes – and a further 850,000 of us are estimated to have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes....CONTINUE READING
“It’s one of the most common health conditions, up there with cancer and heart disease,” says GP Dr Zoe Williams.
“Diabetes leads to more than 190 amputations, 770 strokes, 590 heart attacks, and more than 2,300 cases of heart failure every week. Recently there’s been an alarming rise in cases in people under 40.”
Type 2 diabetes is often considered a condition only affecting older people, but an increasing number of children, teenagers and younger adults are getting diagnosed.
In fact, research from Diabetes UK and Tesco reported that cases rose at a faster rate among those under 40 than in those over 40 over the past five years.
Diabetes is known to have more severe and acute consequences in people under 40 and, without the right treatment and support, it can lead to serious complications that include kidney failure and heart disease.
White men are more at risk of type 2 diabetes if they’re over 40. For people from African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian backgrounds, this risk increases from a far younger age, 25 years old.
The risk factors of diabetes are multiple and complex, and include family history and ethnicity, as well as living with obesity or overweight, among other factors.
Dr Zoe Williams is raising diabetes awareness in partnership with Tesco and Diabetes UK
“It’s about supporting our health while we do our weekly shop” says Dr Zoe.
There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. With type 2 diabetes your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it produces is not effective. Insulin allows the glucose we get from carbohydrates to travel from our blood into our cells to fuel our bodies.
Diabetes is serious, but the good news is that up to half of all type 2 diabetes cases are preventable. Eating more portions of fruit and veg, losing weight if you need to and moving more are some of the ways to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It’s also important to know what symptoms to look out for.
That’s why this World Diabetes Day, Tesco is working in partnership with Diabetes UK to raise awareness of type 2 diabetes and help people understand their risk as part of the supermarket’s commitment to help us all live healthier lives.
“We are proud to have been working with Diabetes UK for over 10 years, and together, we have been helping people understand their risk of type 2 diabetes,” says Tesco pharmacy manager Nirali Patel.
“You can identify your risk of type 2 diabetes at one of Tesco’s in-store pharmacies or head online to use Diabetes UK’s Know Your Risk tool. It’s really easy.”
And what if you find out you are at risk of type 2 diabetes? “You can speak to your pharmacist who can talk through any symptoms and advise you on whether to see your GP,” adds Nirali.
Tesco works hard to ensure customers get the best value on healthy choices, whether that’s through Fresh 5 offers on fresh fruit and veg, Clubcard Prices or Aldi Price Match products – two thirds of which are healthy.
The supermarket is also working on lowering the fat, salt and sugar levels of its ready-made products without compromising on taste, over half of which now contain one of your 5-a-day.
Plus, shoppers can find a range of delicious healthy recipes on the Tesco’s Real Food website, endorsed by Diabetes UK.
“With diabetes, awareness is key” says Dr Zoe. “And you can find out more at Tesco while filling your trolley with healthy, affordable food.”
