Healthcare plans for diabetes on the increase as obesity rises

The number of people requiring a healthcare plan for diabetes is on the rise, according to new figures.

Research from Diabetes UK, based on data collected from GP practices, found that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has increased by more than 150,000 to 2.8 million in the past year.

At the same time, the number of people registered as obese has risen to over five and half million, an increase of more than 265,000.

It means that one person out of 20 in the UK is now being treated for diabetes and one in ten for obesity.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, with nine in ten people with diabetes having this type.

Obesity has been strongly linked to the development of Type 2 diabetes, as has leading a sedentary lifestyle and eating an unhealthy diet.

"Once again we see a shocking rise in diabetes and obesity rates in the UK," said Simon O'Neill, Diabetes UK director of care, information and advocacy.

"Many, but not all, people develop Type 2 diabetes because they are overweight or obese - so we must keep up the mantra of 'five fruit and veg a day', encourage daily physical activity, and warn of the potentially devastating consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle."

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