OXFORDSHIRE residents are being encouraged to eat more healthily and be more active in an effort help reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes.

GPs and other healthcare professionals across the county are using Diabetes Prevention Week, which runs until Sunday, to urge residents to find out if they are at risk and take action to improve their future health.

Last month it was revealed the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in Oxfordshire had risen to 29,469, with almost nine in 10 of those suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

While it is estimated that around 56,000 people in Oxfordshire are currently at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to other serious conditions including strokes, heart disease, limb amputation and early death.

People are urged to use an online tool to check if they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and take action to improve their future health.

Dr Amar Latif, a GP in Eynsham who is leading the programme on behalf of the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “While more people than ever have the condition, Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable.

“This prevention programme, which we have rolled out in Oxfordshire, puts people in control of their health.

“It can help them avoid a disease which can lead to many serious health problems, including heart attacks, stroke and loss of sight.

“Patients in Oxfordshire who are concerned they may be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes can be referred to the programme.”

The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free local service for people who are at risk of type 2 diabetes.

The programme is designed to stop or delay the onset of the disease through a range of personalised lifestyle interventions, including education on lifestyle choices, advice on how to reduce weight through healthier eating and bespoke physical activity programmes.

Nearly 1,300 people have been referred on to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme in Oxfordshire since it started in 2017, with more than 220 people already enrolled on the 10 month course.

Diabetes UK figures show that the number of people who have been diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in Oxfordshire has increased by 1,544 since last year – from 27,925 to 29,469.

Anyone over the age of 18 can find out if they are at risk of type 2 diabetes by taking the online test at https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Preventing-Type-2-diabetes

Earlier this month Oxfordshire County Council announced its own campaign to help tackle the worrying rise in obesity - closely linked to Type 2 diabetes.

The ‘Calorie Creep’ campaign aims to get adults to consume around 400 calories for breakfast, 600 for lunch and 600 for dinner, plus a couple of healthier snacks and drinks in-between in order to limit their calorie intake.