Diabetes is serious - there is no cure and if untreated, it can lead to heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and other life threatening complications. If diagnosed early and managed, people can lead long and healthy lives.

9% of people with diabetes in the UK are from South Asian communities.  Diabetes affects 2.3 million people in the UK and a further 500,000 who have the condition do not know it.  A person can have Type 2 diabetes for nine to twelve years before being diagnosed, when approximately fifty per cent of these people will display signs of devastating complications.

South Asian people develop Type 2 diabetes on average five years earlier than white people and are three times more likely to develop heart disease.

You are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if you are of South Asian origin and have one or more of the factors below:

• Are over 25 years old
• A close member of your family has diabetes
• You are overweight (your waist measurements are more than 35 inches for men/31.5 inches for women).

It’s thought that several things could play a role in this increased rate of diabetes. Firstly, being overweight is thought to be one of the most significant contributory factors to people developing Type 2 diabetes. There are many cultural reasons why people from the South Asian communities might be more prone to becoming overweight. For example, big bellies on men are considered a sign of wisdom and wealth in India and Pakistan. Also, traditional foods consumed in these communities, tend to be high in fat and sugar. These sort of treats – that were once traditionally saved for rare special occasions – are now eaten on a daily basis because they are more widely affordable. Furthermore, genetic differences in how the body processes and stores fat can result in high blood fat levels and increased storage of fat around the abdomen in people from South Asian communities. Excess fat around the abdomen (or being ‘apple-shaped’ as opposed to ‘pear shaped’) is known to be a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

A lack of regular physical activity significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes in all people, especially when linked with obesity, which contributes to insulin resistance. Again, cultural influences can affect the levels of physical activity people are used to. For example, some elderly women from orthodox religions will not be seen out alone (to take long walks) or won’t attend physical activity classes in leisure centres because of the typical dress code of such classes. There is also lack of awareness among people from the South Asian communities that physical activity and being the right weight for your height helps to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.