West Norfolk has one of highest rates of type two diabetes in UK
The number of people with diabetes in the East of England has reached 352,000 according to new figures.
West Norfolk has some of the highest numbers of people with diabetes in the country according to Diabetes UK. Almost nine per cent of people are living with the condition while the national average is 6.9 per cent and the East of England average is 6.6 per cent.
West Norfolk has the 10th highest number of people diagnosed with the condition in the UK behind areas like Bradford and Leicester.
Nationally 4.8 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with the condition with 90 per cent of those having type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes are 50% more likely to die prematurely than those without diabetes.
One common complication of diabetes that can lead to early death is heart disease.
People with type 2 diabetes are two to two-and-a-half times more likely to experience heart failure and twice more likely to have a heart attack compared to people without diabetes.
Not every case of type two is associated with excessive weight, but it is the single greatest risk factor say Diabetes UK.
12,741 people are living with diabetes in West Norfolk