25 June 2011
Last updated at 17:01 ET
Obesity is a major risk factor for Type 2 diabetes
The number of adults with diabetes in the world has more than doubled since 1980, according to a new study.
Researchers from Imperial College London and Harvard University analysed data from 2.7m people across every continent, using statistical techniques to project a worldwide figure.
They claim the total number of people with diabetes – which can be fatal – has risen from 153m to 347m.
The authors called for better detection and treatment to combat the rise.
The study was published in The Lancet medical journal.
Its authors said 70% of the rise was down to people living longer.
The rise has been most pronounced in the Pacific Islands. In the Marshall Islands a third of all women have the condition.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
This is a chronic, progressive condition”
End Quote
Dennis Urbaniak
Sanofi
Majid Ezzati, of Imperial College London, said: “Diabetes is becoming more common almost everywhere in the world.
“Unless we develop better programs for detecting people
Read More from the Article Source: Full Article
