DIABETES is at epidemic proportions with 275 Australians developing diabetes every day, joining the estimated 1.5 million Australians who already have diabetes and the two million Australians with pre-diabetes.
If both your parents have type 2 diabetes, you have a one-in-two chance of developing the condition: that’s the key message of a new Diabetes Australia campaign launched during National Diabetes Week.
Ros Jackson, President of Diabetes ACT, said the campaign encourages Australian families to talk about diabetes, assess their risk and see their doctor for a full risk assessment.
While families cannot change their genes, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and healthy eating can reduce a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 60 per cent.
Ros said a new national survey reveals that 75 per cent of Australians do not know that family history is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
The Jones Donald survey also found that 97 per cent of people who have diabetes in their family do not believe their children are at very much risk.
“It is alarming that only 10 per cent of people with diabetes considered their children to be at risk of developing the condition,” Ros said.
“Mums and dads need to know whether their children are at risk, and people need to know if their parents have type 2 diabetes.”
The new campaign continues to focus on waist circumference for adults as an important indicator of type 2 diabetes risk.
“We want people to measure their waists to assess their risk. If you have a large waist measurement and a family history, your risk is even higher and you should see a doctor,” Ros said.
She said people must not underestimate the seriousness of type 2 diabetes and consider the complications which include heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, blindness and amputation.
More information from http://www.diabetesinfamilies.com.au or call 1300 136 588.