TYPE 2 diabetes is a growing problem in Hampshire with 65,000 people now diagnosed with the condition. Diabetes is serious and it can lead to blindness, amputation, heart attack and stroke.

The condition can also go undiagnosed for up to ten years, by which time complications may have begun to have develop.

The worrying thing is that many people are unaware of the risk factors for diabetes, which include; having a larger waist (31.5 inches for a woman, 37 inches for a man and 35 inches for a South Asian man); being over 40 (or 25 if you are South Asian) and having a parent or grandparent with Type 2 diabetes.

You can reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle. You don’t need to run a marathon, making small changes like taking the stairs instead of the lift or getting off the bus a stop earlier can all add up.

We want everyone to know their risk of Type 2 diabetes and are giving away free Guides to Diabetes and pedometers to everyone who wants to understand and try to reduce their risk.

To receive your free guide and a pedometer text KNOW to 70123.

Jill Steaton South East Regional Manager Diabetes UK