Almost one in 10 people in the East Midlands could have diabetes by 2030 amid alarming levels of obesity, according to a new study. People are being urged to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes ahead of World Diabetes Day on Sunday 14 November.

Tom Skelton before and after participating in the Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Diagnoses of diabetes have doubled in the last 15 years, and analysis by Public Health England estimates that 403,509 people (prevalence of 9.7%) in the East Midlands are likely to be living with diabetes before the end of the decade.

About 90% of diabetes patients have Type 2, a condition that is more likely to develop if people are overweight. Extra weight, gained as people lived through the COVID pandemic, means people are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Anyone at high risk may be eligible to join their local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, a joint initiative from NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England and Diabetes UK.

Jane Hewison, aged 65, from Belper in Derbyshire, knew she would be at high risk as both her parents have diabetes, so she registered online for the programme. “My main goal is to lose weight. If I had kept off all the weight that I had lost in the last 10 years I would be very slim, but I’ve always put more back on,” said Jane.

“I’ve learnt a lot about small little changes I can make, particularly with foods that keep you fuller for longer. I’ve also found that I have had to find my old belts because I’ve lost a couple of centimetres around my waist.”

Tom Skelton, aged 59 from Bush Hill in Northampton, received a letter from his GP Practice which recommended that he participate in the Diabetes Prevention Programme. “The most important thing I have learned from the programme is that small changes can make a big difference,” said Tom. “It’s not about totally changing, just modifying your behaviour slightly. I have made relatively small changes to my diet and I’ve lost about 1lb a week.”

Professor Azhar Farooqi, Co-Clinical Director for the Midlands Cardiovascular Disease and Respiratory Network and GP at East Leicester Medical Practice, said the study showed why people should come forward for help.

“There has never been a more crucial time to lose weight, exercise more and eat more healthily, so I would urge all those at risk to take action on World Diabetes Day.

“Our bulging waistlines means many more people are now at risk of joining the expanding ranks of those living with largely preventable Type 2 diabetes. The good news is that the NHS’s highly successful, world-leading Diabetes Prevention Programme is helping hundreds of thousands of people take small common sense steps to get control of their own health.

“If you think you are at risk of Type 2 diabetes, would like more information on the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme or have any other concerns related to your health, please contact your GP. You can also complete the Diabetes UK ‘Know Your Risk’ tool (https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start) to register yourself onto a free local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme session.”