Residents are invited to a free roadshow where they can find out their risk of getting Type 2 diabetes - and get valuable information about how to reduce it.

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Diabetes UK has partnered up with Tesco for the Know Your Risk roadshow, which will be calling into Queen Square in Wolverhampton on Thursday and Friday 14 to 15 May, 2015.

Peter Shorrick, Diabetes UK Midlands Regional Manager, said: "4 out of 5 cases of Type 2 diabetes can be stopped or delayed by eating a healthy diet, taking regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight.

"That's why we want people in Wolverhampton to come aboard and find out their risk of Type 2 diabetes so we support them in making the right choices to improve their health.

"Once you know your risk, you can do something about it. For many people, the Know Your Risk roadshow will be the first step to turning their health around and delaying or preventing this serious condition.

"There's nothing scary about our roadshow and no blood tests. Our friendly volunteers and qualified dieticians in Wolverhampton will take you through a series of questions and measurements to tell you how likely you are to develop Type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years. Finding out your risk doesn't take long, but could be an important first step on the path to a healthier life.

"What many people don't know is that you're more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if you're overweight, especially if you are large around your middle, you're African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian, you're aged over 40 or over 25 if you are South Asian, or you have a parent, child, brother or sister with diabetes."

Ros Jervis, Wolverhampton's Director of Public Health, said: "The Know Your Risk Roadshow in Wolverhampton is a great opportunity for people to find out their risk of developing diabetes and to do something about it. I am encouraging everyone to spend a few minutes and go along to the bus on the day - it could be the best thing you do for your health this year."

Type 2 diabetes is serious and can lead to devastating complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness or amputation. But, if managed properly, people with Type 2 diabetes can live long, healthy lives.

In the UK, there are 11.5million people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and an estimated 2.9million people already diagnosed with the condition. In Wolverhampton, over 16,000 people are living with diabetes and it is estimated that there is a further 3,694 people who have undiagnosed diabetes.

Anyone who can't attend the roadshow can find out their risk of Type 2 diabetes online at Type=links;Linkid=6012;Title=Diabetes UK - Type 2 diabetes: Know Your Risk;Target=_blank;. For more information about diabetes, visit Type=links;Linkid=6013;Title=Diabetes UK;Target=_blank; and follow news about the roadshow with the hashtag #dukroadshow on Twitter.

  • released: Wednesday 6 May, 2015