Sofa generation causing epidemic of Type 2 diabetes
The nation’s lack of physical activity is leading to a new “sofa generation” at risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to Professor Melanie Davies (pictured), an internationally renowned expert in Type 2 diabetes and Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre.
An NHS report published today ahead of the roll out of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme has claimed that five million people fall into the category of being at risk of the condition.
Professor Davies said: “We are spending more and more of our lives sat down being inactive. We all live in a much more sedentary society now where it’s easy to spend the majority of each and every day sat down either at our desk working, socialising and shopping as well as banking.
“However, this sedentary lifestyle does come with consequences and unless people move more they could end up with unwanted health complications. We are becoming the sofa generation and this inactivity, together with an increasing consumption of unhealthy foods and obesity, is leading to more cases of Type 2 diabetes.”
Another report also out today included the results of research carried out by Dr Laura Gray from the Department of Health Sciences, which estimated the national campaign could reduce Type 2 diabetes in at risk groups by 26 per cent.
Dr Gray, who is based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, said: “Our review of all of the relevant evidence in this area has shown the huge potential this national programme has on making a dramatic impact on the health of the nation – preventing up to one in four people at risk of Type 2 diabetes from getting the condition.”
The programme was unveiled in March and aims to significantly reduce the four million people in England otherwise expected to have Type 2 diabetes by 2025.
The Leicester Diabetes Centre is an international centre of excellence in research, education and innovation, which is a partnership between the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester and led by Professor Kamlesh Khunti and Professor Melanie Davies. It is hosted at Leicester General Hospital.