Media Release

23^rd April 2007

Tackling ‘Type 2’ Diabetes

- with a little help from Peter Thompson

Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes, which can be treated through diet and exercise, are increasing in Northern Ireland

Diabetes can, if not properly controlled, lead to sight problems, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and nerve damage. It can also be fatal: I person every fifteen minutes die from the condition.

Approximately 52,000 people in Northern Ireland are diagnosed diabetes suffers but it is thought that as many as 25,000 others may have gone undiagnosed

Now the ‘North and West Belfast Diabetes Network’ is developing a number of initiatives to help raise awareness about diabetes, help people identify the factors which can lead to diabetes and help prevent unnecessary problems associate with the condition. The network includes local hospital consultants, community nurses, dieticians and GPs.

This week, in partnership with Tescos Supermarkets and Diabetes UK, the Network will be organising a number of diabetes awareness sessions in Tesco’s Ballygomartin Road store in West Belfast. Part of the project will involve working with a small group of local people who are at risk of developing the condition.

Dieticians will take participants on a tour of the Tesco’s store to discuss healthy diet options and will also examine a number of exercise and lifestyle activities which could also be of benefit to them.

The dieticians and nursing staff will also be providing blood pressure and blood sugar checks for local shopper – two key early indicators of diabetes.

Northern Ireland and Linfield footballer Peter Thompson will be assisting the team at Tescos to highlight the problem of diabetes and will be encouraging shoppers to engage in some form of physical activity which can help prevent the development of diabetes. Peter will be in the store on Monday 23^rd April at 4pm.

Howard Wells, the IFA’s Chief Executive will also be lending his support to the initiative. Howard, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, said recently, “It came as a dramatic wake up call for me. In my case it could have been avoided. It is very important that we look at the sugar, salt and fat content in our diets.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor
Dieticians and Nurses from the North and West Belfast Diabetes Network’ will be in the Tesco Store, Ballygomartin Road throughout the week:

Monday 23rd April 4pm-6pm
Tuesday 24^th April 10am – 12md
Friday 27^th April 4pm-7pm

For further information please contact:
The Belfast Trust Media Office
on 028 9096 0096
Out of Hours telephone 028 9056 5656