One in three people in Northern Ireland could be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, it was revealed today.
That means some 570,000 people in the North are at risk, said leading health charity Diabetes UK Northern Ireland.
The charity said those at risk are people with a large waist measurement and urged them to make a New Year's resolution to live a healthier lifestyle and do more exercise.
A waist measurement of 37 inches or more for men and 31.5 inches for women puts people in the danger zone, it said. For men of South Asian origin the waist measurement is 35 inches. Shifting the excess pounds will reduce the risk of contracting diabetes, advised the charity.
Iain Foster, director of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said: "Our survey shows that people know a healthy lifestyle is important in lessening their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes.
"We are calling on everyone with an at-risk waist measurement to take our New Year challenge by aiming to eat healthier foods and doing a bit more physical activity each day." Mr Foster warned: "Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to complications including blindness, heart disease, kidney damage and amputation.
"We want anyone who could reduce their chances of developing the condition to make a New Year's resolution to make small changes that could make a big difference in the long run - eat healthier and do some daily exercise."
Diabetes UK is seeking to find the estimated 750,000 people across the UK who have Type 2 diabetes but don't know it, and is urging everyone with an at- risk waist measurement to go to their doctor for a simple test.
"There are currently 58,000 people in Northern Ireland diagnosed with diabetes and over 200 new cases were recorded each month during 2007.
"As many as 20,000 people here may have diabetes and not yet know it, so we are asking for individual action to prevent its onset, but also for those who may already have diabetes but not know it , to check with their doctor and help avoid serious complications later in life," said Mr Foster.
PA