Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSDiabetes diagnoses jump by 145,000
The number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has reportedly jumped by 145,000 in the last year, 90% of which have the type 2 condition, linked to obesity and unhealthy diets.
The figures, reported at a European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting, has prompted renewed debate about whether gastric bypass surgery should be a treatment option.
Professor Nick Finer, chair of the Experts in Severe and Complex Obesity taskforce, said: “Type 2 diabetes management is long term, but when linked to severe obesity, there are treatment options that could not only put type 2 diabetes into remission but bring those with a BMI of over 35 into a healthy weight category that can be sustained.”
He cited study findings that bypass surgery reduced obesity-related conditions in patients by 96%, while 90% of type 2 patients who had the surgery had their condition improved.
The Department of Health attributes 58% of type 2 diabetes to excess body weight, and says that the risks can increase exponentially with obesity.
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