More than nine thousand Bermudians are afflicted with Type 2 Diabetes, a chronic disease that could have fatal consequences.

Clinical Dietician, Sara McKitrrick, speaking at the launch of the Health Promotion Strategy said health officials are concerned that several young people under the age of 16 have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, a condition usually seen in the adult population.

“There are two main types of Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes, commonly referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin. Type 2 Diabetes is usually caused by overweight and obesity.

“Although Type 11 Diabetes tends to appear in people over 40, more children are now being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, due to increased levels of childhood obesity. A healthy diet and regular physical activity are recommended as part of its treatment,” she said.

In 1996 11 percent of Bermuda’s adults had diabetes, of this number 75 percent had high blood pressure and 45 percent had high blood cholesterol, and 77 percent were obese. In 2005 13 percent of adults reported having diabetes.

The Bermuda Diabetes Epidemiology Project estimated that for every two known cases of diagnosed diabetes, there is one undiagnosed case.

Ms McKittrick said Diabetes is a disabling condition that could have fatal consequences if not treated: “Associated problems include blindness, kidney failure, damage to circulation and nerves in the legs that can cause gangrene and lead to amputation, circulatory problems, heart disease and stroke.”

One of the goals of the Health Promotion Strategy is to reduce the prevalence of diabetes by improving the health of people with or at risk for diabetes.