"Nationally, there are 1.4 million people with diabetes and this number is expected to reach 2 million by 2010," according to Canowindra GP Dr Nicholas O'Ryan.

"Significant increases in all types of diabetes in recent years have been reported,* and it is estimated that about 7% of the adult Australian population has type 2 diabetes** – the so-called 'lifestyle disease'," Dr O'Ryan said.

"This has doubled in just 5 years to more than 542,000 people in New South Wales, but half of them don't know it because it is undiagnosed.

"People could be at risk of type 2 diabetes if they are over 45 and have any of the following - a family history of diabetes, are overweight or inactive, heart disease or had diabetes during pregnancy.

"Symptoms of diabetes can include feeling unwell and tired, passing urine too frequently, impotence, thirst, tingling of the hands or feet, slow healing of wounds or sores, and unexplained weight loss or gain," Dr O'Ryan said.

"The good news is that diabetes can be prevented or delayed by eating foods high in fibre and low in fat, increasing physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight. About 9 out of 10 males and two thirds of females with type 2 diabetes are overweight.***

"It is important that people see their doctor if they have any of the risk factors or symptoms because a simple blood test can determine if they have diabetes or pre-diabetes," Dr O'Ryan said.

The number of children with type 2 diabetes is also increasing at between five and 10 percent a year. See your local GP for more information, or log on to www.diabetesaustralia.com.au or www.diabetesnsw.com.au

Refer ences:

* Diabetes Australia-NSW data, Diabetes Summit, Sydney 10.4.06, ** Tony Abbott Minister for Health media release 12.5.06, *** Australian Institute of Health & Welfare data