Misconception about diabetes could explain rising numbers

New figures show that the number of people being diagnosed with diabetes in the UK is rising, suggesting that not enough is being done to prevent the condition.

The statistics, released by Diabetes UK to mark Diabetes Week (June 12th - 18th), highlight the nature of the ‘diabetes epidemic’, according to the charity.

The charity also says that by the end of Diabetes Week, 4,500 more people will have been diagnosed with the life-changing condition and 235,000 people were diagnosed in the last year.

Research from Diabetes UK has suggested that there is still widespread misunderstanding about diabetes, which could be contributing to the rising number of people with the condition.

A survey of nearly 1,500 adults found that more than half were unaware that not managing the condition properly can lead to serious health problems, such as heart attacks, amputations and strokes.

It also revealed that a third wrongly believe that type 1 diabetes is linked to being overweight, when, in fact, there is nothing that can be done to prevent this form of the condition.

The charity is concerned about these misconceptions and is calling on people to use Diabetes Week as an opportunity to educate themselves about the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as the signs and symptoms of each.

Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said it was about "setting the record straight" and focusing on the realities of living with both conditions.

"There is still a lack of understanding when it comes to people being aware of the seriousness of diabetes and this worries us at Diabetes UK," he explained.

With more than four million people living with the condition in the UK and more than 4,500 discovering they have diabetes this week alone, the current scale of the crisis is deeply concerning, Mr Askew added.

Find the nearest Barchester nursing home.