Check for diabetes
Called Measure Up, the campaign by Diabetes UK puts a tape measure around Britain's waistlines: men whose stomachs exceed 37in (94cm) and women who measure more that 31.5in will be warned that they risk developing diabetes.
Called Measure Up, the campaign by Diabetes UK puts a tape measure around Britain's waistlines: men whose stomachs exceed 37in (94cm) and women who measure more that 31.5in will be warned that they risk developing diabetes and should take themselves to their GP for a blood test.
Researchers behind the campaign have found that a person with a normal BMI (body mass index) is still at risk if his or her gut is too big.
Post-menopausal women have a raised risk if they develop what is popularly known as middle age spread.
Until recently doctors thought that fat was an inert tissue, merely acting as an insulating agent - now they know that it is full of active hormones that react to weight gain and, ultimately, cause insulin resistance in people.
It is not known how many people actually die of diabetes because it is under-reported on death certificates said Matt Hunt, a scientist with Diabetes UK.
Research by the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK suggests the figure is at least 33,000. Anyone regardless of age should have access to a specialist and Type 2 is equally as dangerous as Type 1.
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