Getting active can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes. That was the message from local GP, Dr Nigel Taylor as he joined Diabetes UK to spread awareness of diabetes prevention at Crosby Park Run.

Dr Taylor spoke to runners at the weekly event as Diabetes UK hosted a stall which offered people the chance to understand their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and what action they can take to reduce it.

Treating diabetes and its complications costs the NHS around £6 billion every year and causes around 22,000 early deaths per year. Around nine in ten people with diabetes have Type 2 which is closely linked to obesity. 

There are currently 5 million people in England at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Locally, 6,500 Sefton residents have been identified as being ‘at risk’ whilst it is estimated that around 26,000 local people are also at risk but yet to be identified.

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 is preventable in many cases and people can reduce their risk by exercising, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight. The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme was launched in Sefton around 18 months ago. The programme offers advice and support to people on how they can reduce their risk on developing Type 2 diabetes and over 1,200 residents have benefited from the free, personalised service in that time.

Dr Nigel Taylor, diabetes lead at NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “We’ve spoken to a lot of people today about the importance of getting active and hopefully they can help us to spread the word. The Crosby Park Run is a great way to get active and do some socialising at the same time and I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about getting active to come down and give it a try.”

Yvonne Brown, influencing manager for Diabetes UK, said: “Type 2 diabetes can lead to very serious, life-threatening complications such as amputation, blindness, kidney disease, stroke and heart disease. However, we know that three in five cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by making healthier choices, helping everyone understand their own risk of developing the condition − and how to reduce it − and securing early diagnosis for those at high risk.”

Anyone who wants more information about diabetes can visit the Diabetes UK website: www.diabetes.org.uk and to find out more about the diabetes prevention programme being delivered in Sefton at www.lwtcsupport.co.uk.