Poor's 'greater risk of diabetes'

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People living in the poorest parts of Scotland are more likely to get type 2 diabetes than those in affluent communities, it is claimed.

The charity Diabetes UK has also warned that once people in deprived areas have diabetes, they are twice as likely to develop complications.

If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness.

The charity is calling for more to be done to raise awareness of diabetes.

In its new report, Diabetes UK Scotland said research had found the incidence of type 2 diabetes was increasing at a higher rate in more deprived areas.

200,000 sufferers

And those living in the poorest areas were 64% more likely to be diagnosed with the condition compared to people in the most well off communities.

Type 2 diabetes usually affects middle-aged or older people, although, more frequently, it is being diagnosed in younger people who are overweight.

Diabetes can lead to significant health problems for sufferers

In its new report, Diabetes in the UK 2009, the charity said: "Deprivation is strongly associated with higher levels of obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking and poor blood pressure control.

"All these factors are inextricably linked to the risk of diabetes or the risk of developing serious complications for those already diagnosed."

Jane-Claire Judson, national director of Diabetes UK Scotland, called on the Scottish Government and health chiefs to boost awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of diabetes, as well as awareness of what can be done to prevent the condition.

Ms Judson said: "Action must be taken now to stop a generation of people in deprivation living with the shadow of a shortened lifespan. Obesity is thought to be the major cause of 100,000 people in Scotland developing type 2 diabetes.

"Diabetes UK Scotland wants the Scottish Government and health boards to raise awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and what can be done to prevent it, amongst those at high risk of developing the condition."

There are currently 2.5 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed with diabetes, including more than 200,000 in Scotland.