'Tesco check out' - South Tyneside shoppers urged to check their risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Tesco and Diabetes UK are urging South Tyneside residents to use an online tool to check their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as a survey reveals many are unaware of their susceptibility.
Tesco and Diabetes UK are encouraging people in South Tyneside to take a simple step towards understanding their health after new UK research revealed that four in ten adults (42%) have never thought about their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults also found that seven in ten people (71%) have not checked their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, despite the condition affecting millions of people across the UK.
Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to life-changing complications, including heart disease, stroke and sight loss if left undiagnosed or unmanaged.
The findings suggest many people may be missing opportunities to understand their risk or the support to make changes. Among those who have not checked their risk, more than a quarter (27%) say it is because they do not believe they are at risk, while almost a quarter (24%) say they would not know how to check.
Tom Lye, Category Director for Health and Wellness at Tesco, said: “We know that taking steps to understand your health can sometimes feel daunting, which is why we want to make support as accessible as possible.
“Through our partnership with Diabetes UK, we’re encouraging people to use the free Know Your Risk tool to better understand their risk of type 2 diabetes. If customers have concerns or questions, our trained pharmacy colleagues are on hand in over 350 Tesco Pharmacies to offer advice and support.”
Douglas Twenefour, Head of Clinical at Diabetes UK, said: "Around 6.9 million people in the UK are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but taking small steps can make a big difference. Diabetes UK's free, online Know Your Risk tool can help you understand your risk in just a few minutes, and offers advice on how to reduce it if needed. "
Although lack of awareness remains the biggest barrier, the survey also suggests that concern and embarrassment may prevent some people from learning more about their risk. Among those who have not checked their risk, 14% say they worry about what the result might be, while around one in ten worry about being judged because of their weight, diet or health behaviours (9%) or feel embarrassed discussing their risk (8%).
The simple online assessment takes just a few minutes to complete and can help identify whether someone may be at increased risk of developing the condition.
To find out more and access the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool, visit riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/tesco