Newham’s CCG group and the council are highlighting the importance of a healthy breakfast as part of World Diabetes Day on Saturday.

According to the Clinical Commissioning Group, having a healthy, low sugar and fibre rich breakfast every morning is one of the ways residents can help prevent themselves from developing type 2 diabetes.

In Newham there are more than 23,000 residents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes – nearly eight per cent of adults in the borough.

It is also estimated that another 38,900 residents are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Dr Shahzada Khan, a local GP and the NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Diabetes Clinical Lead, said: “To reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes the best thing you can do is to eat healthily and increase the amount of activity you do, both of these will help with weight management including weight loss if required.

“Starting each day with a healthy breakfast and sticking to the recommended calorie count for your age and gender is really important. Changing your eating and exercise habits can be hard but small changes over time can make a big difference.”

There are currently 3.3 million people in the UK living with diabetes, with 90 per cent of these having Type 2 diabetes and an additional 590,000 people who have diabetes but have not been diagnosed.

The main symptoms of diabetes include: feeling very thirsty, urinating more frequently, feeling very tired, weight loss and loss of muscle bulk, itching around the genitalia areas, cuts or wounds that heal slowly and blurred vision.

Councillor Clive Furness, mayoral advisor for adults and health said: “Eating a healthy breakfast not only prevents blood sugar levels from getting too high but also keeps people full throughout the morning.

“Whilst sugary cereals and white toast may be convenient these options typically raise blood sugar levels rapidly and can actually leave people feeling hungry well before lunchtime.

“Not only are there high numbers of people in Newham currently diagnosed with diabetes but also many hundreds are at high risk of developing it. Regular exercise and enjoying a healthier diet can reduce this risk.”