SEVENTY-SIX people in Notts were referred to their doctor as being at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes at a health roadshow organised by a charity.
Diabetes UK organised the event in Newark and offered free diabetes risk assessment tests to 134 people to identify their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes now, and in the next ten years.
Pete Shorrick, regional manager for Diabetes UK in the Midlands, said: "Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK today. It's frightening that there are more than 31,000 people in Notts Primary Care Trust area that have Type 2 diabetes but have no idea they do.
"It is also concerning that there are so many people at risk of the condition. Today we've been available to help people find out more about their own personal risk, as well as providing valuable information and advice which we hope will help them live more healthily.
"Diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition and the number of people living with it is on the rise. The first step to stopping this increase is making people aware of what they can do to prevent Type 2 diabetes. We want to let them know that we are here to support them make the changes they need."
The charity said up to 80 per cent of Type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented from these lifestyle changes, and the roadshow also offered advice and encouragement on lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet low in fat, salt and sugar.
Local people who were unable to attend the Roadshow can still test whether they are at risk of diabetes by taking the free Diabetes UK Risk Score test online at www.diabetes.org.uk/roadshow/riskscore1. If after taking the test they are found to be at moderate or high risk of developing the condition they should visit their GP.
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