Title: BBC NEWS | Health | Rates of diabetes soar in the UK
Headings: Rates of diabetes soar in the UK
Rates of diabetes soar in the UK
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Content: 'Time bomb'
Over the course of the study, the proportion of patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who were obese increased by a fifth. The researchers said: " Our results suggest that, although the incidence of diabetes remains lower in the UK than in the USA or Canada, it appears to be increasing at a faster pace." Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum said projections suggested the worst was yet to come: " Rates of obesity and diabetes will continue to rise unless we do something urgently." Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: " This research is a sad indictment of the current state of the UK's health. Sadly, the statistics are not surprising as we know that the soaring rates of type 2 diabetes, are strongly linked to the country's expanding waistline. "Research shows that losing weight can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%. It is imperative that we raise awareness of the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet and doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day if we want to make any headway in defusing the diabetes time bomb."