One in five UK adults now live with diabetes or pre-diabetes, according to “alarming” data that highlights the effects of rising obesity levels, poor diets, and a “broken” food system.
Diabetes UK reports that 12.2 million people are affected, including 4.6 million with diagnosed diabetes, 1.3 million with undiagnosed diabetes, and 6.3 million with pre-diabetes, marking the highest total ever recorded.
Only a small portion of cases involve type 1 diabetes or other non-lifestyle-related forms. Colette Marshall, the charity’s chief executive, attributes the rising numbers mainly to increasing type 2 diabetes cases.
“Obesity isn’t the only risk factor, but its rise is fueling a surge in pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes across the UK,” Marshall said.
She urged the government to take bold action to reverse these trends, criticizing the widespread availability of unhealthy food and calling for urgent policy changes.
The government’s food strategy, while a step forward, needs to move faster to fix the UK’s “broken food environment” and ensure people can maintain good health, Marshall emphasized.
“Incentivizing healthier food production and expanding the soft drinks levy to cover high-fat, salt, and sugar products could significantly impact the nation’s health,” she said.
Marshall also urged authorities to identify undiagnosed diabetes cases urgently and invest more in prevention programs that promote lifestyle changes.
The charity’s analysis shows a record-high 4.6 million diagnosed diabetes cases, an increase from 4.4 million just a year ago.
About 8% of patients have type 1 diabetes, where the body cannot produce insulin, while 90% suffer from type 2, which results from the body’s inability to use insulin properly. Another 2% have rarer forms of the disease.
An estimated 1.3 million people remain undiagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and 6.3 million have pre-diabetes, which can develop into full-blown type 2 diabetes if untreated. However, lifestyle changes such as healthier eating and exercise can reverse pre-diabetes.
“These figures expose a hidden health crisis in the UK and show why immediate government action is essential,” Marshall warned. “Millions need better care to manage diabetes and avoid serious complications.”
Government Urged to Take Bold Action
In an open letter to Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting, Diabetes UK urged the government to prioritize pre-diabetes and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in its upcoming 10-year health plan.
“With more people developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes at a younger age, it’s critical to find the millions who remain unaware of their condition,” Marshall stressed.
The charity also called for increased investment in initiatives like the NHS diabetes prevention program, which promotes lifestyle changes for those at risk.
The Department of Health and Social Care labeled the findings “extremely concerning.” A spokesperson confirmed that the government’s 10-year health plan would focus on preventing disease to help people live healthier lives for longer.
Officials highlighted ongoing measures such as restrictions on junk food advertising and the introduction of a new NHS digital health check to help people reduce their risk of diabetes.
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