ALARMING figures from the National Diabetes Services Scheme show people in regional and rural towns are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than city people.
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The stats show Manilla, Tingha, Bingara, Barraba, Werris Creek and Curlewis all have a “very high” percentage of people with diabetes.
Gunnedah, Moree, Inverell, Narrabri, Quirindi, Warialda, Tenterfield and Walcha all have a “high” percentage.
Diabetes NSW chief executive officer, Sturt Eastwood, said the trend of regional populations being more at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes is on the rise.
“There are four factors that contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes – aging, family history, ethnic predisposition and lifestyle,” Mr Eastwood said.
“More than 50 per cent of Type 2 diabetes case are absolutely driven by lifestyle – things such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise and excess weight.
“I think just about everyone in a rural community could look in the mirror and stand to lose a kilogram or two – and that goes for people everywhere.
“You only need to be a couple of kilograms overweight to be twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, and when you talk about obesity that number jumps up to four times.”
In July, Hunter New England Health diabetes educator Kate Ryan told The Leader the figures in rural and remote areas were worrying and could be due to less access to health services, lower education levels or poorer socio-economic backgrounds.
Mr Eastwood said lack of awareness is a big problem in regional areas.
“Eighty per cent of people think diabetes is not an issue and will never effect them,” he said.
In Tamworth alone there is about 900 to 1500 people with diabetes who have yet to be diagnosed.
“Symptoms include being tired all the time, which most people think is just part of middle age life, having blurry vision in the afternoon, thirsty and going to the toilet a lot,” Mr Eastwood said.
“Sixty per cent of Type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed with the right lifestyle.”
Mr Eastwood recommended four simple tips to lowing the risk of developing diabetes – eat less and more naturally, move more and have no addictions.
“If you are worried you might have Type 2 diabetes, the test is a simple blood test which is covered by Medicare.”