The UK is heading for a "public health disaster" as the NHS is facing a "huge strain" with not enough being done to prevent Type 2 diabetes, a charity has claimed.
According to Diabetes UK, the number of people with the condition is expected to hit five million by 2025 - up from 3.8 million today, because people do not take it seriously enough or make the right lifestyle changes.
It said less than a third of people realise that Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as amputation, heart attack, blindness and stroke.
Type 2 diabetes patients either do not produce enough insulin or the insulin they produce does not work properly. Roughly 85% of diabetes sufferers have Type 2, but it can be treated with exercise and an improved diet.
Type 1 cannot produce any insulin, is not caused by obesity and cannot be cured.
Diabetes UK has launched a national awareness campaign to have the risk of Type 2 diabetes assessed.
Chief executive Barbara Young said: "You only have to spend five minutes talking to someone who has lost their sight or has lost a leg as a result of Type 2 diabetes to realise the devastating impact the condition can have.
"But this survey makes it clear that most people do not understand the potential consequences of developing it, and I worry that until we finally lay to rest the myth that Type 2 diabetes is a mild condition, it will continue to be seen as something that is not worth being concerned about.
"This is a misconception that is wrecking lives and is the reason that as a country we are sleepwalking towards a public health disaster of an almost unimaginable scale."
Losing weight, eating more fruit and vegetables, and exercising can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "The number of people with diabetes is steadily growing, with often devastating consequences for their health.
"We are helping people make healthier choices to help prevent obesity which can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
"By working with industry we have helped to reduce fat, sugar and salt in foods, and thanks to the Change4Life campaign we are targeting more and more children and families with information on how to eat well, move more and live longer."
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