Diabetes is a far more prevalent health problem in Bermuda than officials ever suspected.

The expert who conducted a groundbreaking survey said diabetes rates were about twice what he had expected them to be. "Before the survey was conducted we thought the prevalence of diabetes would be around five or six percent but it was actually close to 11 percent,'' said study director Dr. Meng Hee Tan.

"And the high blood pressure and obesity figures in Bermuda were also higher than we thought.'' The Bermuda Diabetes Epidemiology Project 1996 results were released yesterday.

The first-ever epidemiology study on diabetes in Bermuda revealed: 10.7 percent of adult Bermudians or one in nine adults, over the age of 18 have diabetes; In the 35-64 years age group, 12 percent or almost one in eight Bermudians, have diabetes; In the 65 plus age group, almost one in three women and one in five men have diabetes; For every two adult Bermudians with diabetes, there was one who had diabetes and did not know about it; and Those with diabetes weighed more and had higher blood pressure readings than those without diabetes.

With some 1,066 locals interviewed for the study and 999 completing both an interview and clinic visits, said the project showed that it was feasible and possible to do research in Bermuda.

But Dr. Tan admitted that sev eral of the findings surprised him.

Compared to a similar study conducted in Nova Scotia in 1995, obesity was more prevalent in Bermuda, Dr. Tan said.

And the Island's diabetes and impaired glucose intolerance rates were higher than the global rate.

The study recommended the formation of a national diabetes plan to prevent diabetes complications in those who have the disease and to prevent it in those at risk of developing it.

George Smith, president of the Bermuda Diabetes Association, stressed the need for follow-up work on the study.

"It's pointless to spend so much time and money on doing a project such as this to put it on the shelf,'' Mr. Smith said.

He said 60 participants from the study would be monitored over the next ten years to record their progress.

Study co-director Debbie Jones added that letters had already been sent to participants to see if any were willing to take part in the follow-up study.

Health and Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira said the study would provide the Island with a base to compare and measure future data.