Thousands tackle diabetes risk using NHS scheme of exercise and healthy eating
The NHS Healthier You Programme is a nine-month scheme that aims to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by giving people personalised support on healthy eating and keeping active.
Completing the initiative could slash the risk of developing the condition by 37%, according to researchers at Manchester University.
Last year, a record 166,360 adults in England starting using the programme, NHS England said.
It is great to see so many people engaging in this successful programme, which is making a real difference in reducing an individual's type 2 diabetes risk through small, everyday, lifestyle changes Ashley Dalton, health minister
The latest figures mean more than 900,000 adults with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes have used the scheme for support since its launch in 2016.
Type 2 diabetes happens when a person does not make enough of the hormone insulin, or it does not work properly, leading to high blood sugar which can cause complications if left untreated.
Ethnic background, activity levels and family history can increase the likelihood of developing the condition, although obesity poses the greatest risk.
Symptoms include feeling very tired, thirst, and urinating more than usual.
Ashley Dalton has backed the Healthier You Programme (Peter Byrne/PA)
The health minister, Ashley Dalton, said: 'We know that prevention is better than treatment, and that tackling the root causes of type 2 diabetes, such as obesity and inactivity, is one of the keys to tackling cardiovascular-related illness.
'It is great to see so many people engaging in this successful programme, which is making a real difference in reducing an individual's type 2 diabetes risk through small, everyday, lifestyle changes.'
It is estimated that about 4.8 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed.
The condition costs the health service about £10.7 billion a year.
Douglas Twenefour, head of clinical at Diabetes UK, said: 'Millions of people in the UK are living with prediabetes, which means they are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
'Ensuring those at risk get the care and treatment they need is absolutely critical, as it will lower their chances of developing type 2 diabetes and its devastating complications.
'The NHS Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme has a vitally important part to play in stemming the rise in type 2 diabetes and it's encouraging to see more people accessing this life-changing support.'
Dr Clare Hambling, national clinical director for diabetes and obesity at NHS England, said: 'Type 2 Diabetes and obesity are both major public health challenges for this country, so it is great to see that this world-leading NHS initiative is preventing type 2 diabetes – and empowering hundreds of thousands of people across England to lead healthier lives.
'Having the opportunity to prevent this life-altering condition via the NHS is remarkable, but it is also important that people are aware of their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The 'know you risk' online tool is a quick and easy way of calculating your chance of getting type 2 diabetes or you can always speak with your GP.'
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'We're now in the third and fourth generation of these drugs, but the first generation of these drugs we've been using for 15 years for diabetes,' he said. 'There is nothing of concern that has emerged. In fact, all we're seeing are benefits. I'm not too worried about longer term side effects coming out. 'There is no real biological reason why there should be dangerous side-effects in the way that we know these drugs work. 'The benefits of the weight loss improvement in the diabetes are actually by themselves helping health and preventing other diseases, like cancer, heart attacks, renal failure, and potentially even reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. 'All those benefits, even if there was something that we hadn't really thought of that emerged down the line, I suspect that the harm of that is outweighed by the potential benefits of weight loss improvement in diabetes control.' 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