Number of people with diabetes rises to nearly 200,000 in Wales

Credit: PA

The number of people diagnosed with diabetes in Wales has risen to nearly 200,000 in Wales.

It has increased from 191,590 to 194,693 since last year.

Diabetes UK Cymru said Wales has a prevalence of 7.4% - the highest in the UK. The UK average is 6.8%.

There are also over 61,000 people in Wales living with Type 2 diabetes, who don't know they have it because they haven't been diagnosed - bringing the total number living with diabetes in Wales up to more than a quarter of a million (255,781).

An increase in obesity rates is the main reason behind an increase in the number of people living with Type 2 diabetes. Public Health Wales says around 60% of adults in Wales are overweight or obese.

Although not every case of Type 2 diabetes is caused by excessive weight, it is the single greatest risk factor for developing the condition. Age, family history, and ethnicity can also contribute to someone's risk, with people of African-Caribbean, Black African, or South Asian descent two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

Many cases of Type 2 diabetes could be prevented or delayed by healthy eating, being more active, and losing weight if overweight.

Healthy eating could delay or even prevent Type 2 Diabetes. Credit: PA

Diabetes UK Cymru said spotting the early signs of diabetes can be life-changing:

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