Stratford residents at higher risk of diabetes than elsewhere in Newham

Kay Atwal, Chief Reporter Thursday, October 25, 2012
4:00 PM

One in ten Newham residents are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to the findings of a study.

Researchers at Queen Mary, University of London have found that overall, as many as one in ten of the local population has a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next ten years.

In some areas the close to the Stratford Olympic Park, up to one in six adults are at high risk.

The study analysed half a million electronic records for all people without diabetes, aged between 25-79, and registered with a GP in Tower Hamlets, Newham and City & Hackney.

Using a scoring system, the researchers were able to predict the percentage of the population that were at high risk (a 20 per cent chance or more) of developing type 2 diabetes within the next ten years.

Dr Dianna Smith, a lecturer at the Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, part of Queen Mary, University of London, said: “We found the risk of diabetes is very high, with about one in ten people being at high risk overall, and in some parts, such as the north-eastern corner of Newham, rising to around one in six.

“There is a geographical band of high risk across East London, which we’ve dubbed the ‘East London Diabetes Belt’ that runs near the Olympic Park and corresponds to some areas of deprivation and a high proportion of South Asian and Black ethnic groups.”

Rachel Flowers, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS North East London and the City and the London Borough of Newham, said:

“Type 2 diabetes can be preventable. Through outreach and more targeted education, the NHS in Newham is determined to raise awareness of not only risk factors of type 2 diabetes but what people can do to reduce their risk.

“You can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by losing weight, eating healthier food, doing more exercise, reducing alcohol intake and attending your NHS Health Check.”