213,800 people needlessly have Type 2 diabetes

AN estimated 213,800 people in the North West needlessly have Type 2 diabetes, warns leading health charity Diabetes UK as it launches its national Measure Up Roadshow to tackle the diabetes timebomb.  There are around 267,300 people in the North West with Type 2 diabetes and yet 80% of these cases could have been prevented through adopting a healthy diet and increased physical activity.

Diabetes is the UK's fastest-growing long-term condition. By 2025, there will be an estimated 4.2 million people with diabetes in the UK and the bulk of these cases will be Type 2. This massive increase will also mean higher costs for the NHS which already spends £1 million an hour treating diabetes and its complications. Type 2 diabetes can be undetected for 10 years or more, meaning 50% of people already have complications by the time they are diagnosed.

In a bid to prevent further needless cases of Type 2 diabetes, Diabetes UK is launching its national Measure Up Roadshow on Wednesday 3 June to help people find out more about diabetes and discover whether they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

The Measure Up Roadshow, which runs from June to December and will visit 110 locations across the UK, encourages people to measure their waists to see if they are at risk of Type 2 diabetes, as having a large waist means you are up to 12 times more likely to develop the condition. At risk waist measurements are 37 inches or more for men, except those of South Asian origin who are at risk at 35 inches or more, and 31.5 inches or more for all women.  The campaign also raises awareness of other risk factors for Type 2 diabetes including being over 40 years old, being of Black or South Asian origin and having a family history of the condition. Diabetes UK staff will be offering free diabetes risk assessment tests at some of the roadshows.

Helen Pattie, Regional Manager of North West Diabetes UK, said:- "Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing us today. It is regrettable that 80 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes could have avoided it by making simple but important changes to their lifestyle. This is why I would urge everyone who can to visit a Diabetes UK Measure Up Roadshow near them. It could be the best thing you ever do for your health.  The Measure Up Roadshow will also emphasise that it is important for people who already have diabetes to have a healthy diet that is low in fat, salt and sugar with plenty of fruit and vegetables and to take regular physical activity in order to avoid serious complications like heart disease."

TV presenter Phillip Schofield is backing the charity's awareness campaign. He said:- "I am delighted to be supporting Diabetes UK's Measure Up campaign which asks people to measure their waists and find out if they are at risk of Type 2 diabetes. My mother and brother both have diabetes so I know firsthand how it can impact a person and their family's life. As diabetes runs in my own family I ensure that my family and I try to lead a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  There are already 2.2 million people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the UK and another 500,000 who have it and don't know. I would urge people to visit one of Diabetes UK's Roadshows this year to discover if they could be one of those 500,000 and to find out more about diabetes. It is a serious condition and if untreated can lead to complications such as kidney disease, stroke and blindness. The sooner people are diagnosed, the sooner they can start treating their diabetes to help reduce the risk of developing these devastating complications."  The roadshows will visit the following locations in the North West: Preston, Warrington, Manchester, Southport, Lancaster, Workington, Whitehaven, Burnley, Blackburn, Northwich and Chester.  For exact times and locations please visit:- www.diabetes.org.uk

DREAM LIFE

BRITS long to live in a country retreat similar to those owned by Amy Winehouse and Sienna Miller, according to a new survey.

Troubled singer Winehouse recently splashed out £750,000 on a farmhouse in Suffolk to escape her turbulent London lifestyle.  Whilst actress Miller spent an undisclosed amount on a cottage in the heart of Gloucestershire to be closer to family.  Other celebrities such as Kate Moss, Madonna, Kate Winslet and Robbie Williams have all invested millions of pounds on picturesque country homes.

But when asked about their perfect life in a poll by The National Lottery, Brits revealed they dream of owning a luxury rural pad in the region of a cool £1.8MILLION.  Despite being short of a bob or 2, 41% of people believe they will one day own the house of their dreams.  And their home will be a 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom dwelling complete with utility room, home cinema and games room.  More than half of respondents also dream of having several reception rooms to entertain guests, a library and a playroom for the children.

The poll of 3,000 people, conducted by The National Lottery, revealed folk dream of a house set in rolling countryside, on at least 5 acres of land.  They would like to live in the South East or South West, in a detached property which has an Aston Martin DB or Audi TT parked on the driveway. 

As well as having a private palace to live in, the average Brit would like to own 4 dogs, have 3 children and be happily married to the man or woman of their dreams.  Most importantly, folk imagine earning a whopping £210,075 for just 3 days work a week – enough to pay for their humble home and 4 holidays a year.  Favoured destinations for holidays include America, the Maldives and Barbados.

A spokesperson for The National Lottery said:- “It seems people more than ever want to escape to a big house in the country, many lottery winners do choose an idyllic relaxed lifestyle after their win but tend to stay within easy reach of their friends and family.  People always have and always will sit down and detail what their prefect life would look like, and it is great to hear that most are still working to make this dream a reality, even in tough times.”

Despite times being hard, 67% of Brits are still working hard towards achieving their dream, believing good things come to those who wait.  But many admit they’ll be in their 50's before they get to really enjoy any of their hard earned cash.

Police called to Woodwards Wine Bar, Birkdale

MERSEYSIDE Police are now investigating a disturbance at bar on Weld Road, Birkdale on Saturday, 30 May 2009.  Officers were called to Woodwards Wine Bar at about 7.50pm following reports of a disturbance involving a number of people. 

One man was treated at hospital for minor grazes and cuts to his head. He has since been released and his injuries are not life threatening. 

Two men, aged 51 and 32, and one woman, aged 28, have been arrested on suspicion of affray. They have been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

Enquiries are ongoing into the incident and witnesses are being interviewed. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.