In total, 12.2 million people are affected, the data analysis from Diabetes UK shows, including 4.6 million with diagnosed diabetes, 1.3 million with undiagnosed diabetes, and 6.3 million with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, also known as pre-diabetes.
“While obesity is not the only factor that increases risk of type 2 diabetes, we’re concerned that the rise in the number of those living with … obesity is translating into soaring cases of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes across the UK,” she said.
“With more people developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes at a younger age, it’s also critical that much more is done to find the missing millions who either have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes but are completely unaware of it,” Marshall said.
In an open letter to Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting, Diabetes UK called for the government’s forthcoming 10-year health plan to prioritise people with pre-diabetes and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes through improved NHS health checks.
One in five UK adults have diabetes or pre-diabetes, analysis shows Charity urges ministers to fix ‘broken food environment’ as surge in type 2 diabetes drives record number of diagnoses.
