One of Bermuda’s leading dieticians has urged people to kick off the New Year by improving their lifestyle to combat shocking diabetes figures.

Up to 9,000 Bermudians have been diagnosed with the illness — 13 percent of the population, almost double the rate of the US — according to statistics released late last year. Clinical dietician Sara McKittrick yesterday said she had seen children as young as 14 with the disease, as a result of eating too many fatty foods.

Mrs. McKittrick said the Island had a particular problem with diabetes due to the genetic make-up of the population, which means more people are likely to inherit it.

She added that hot weather — which encourages many Bermudians to drink too many sugary drinks — also attributes to the high rate. Speaking at a meeting of Hamilton Rotary Club, Mrs. McKittrick urged people to get into good habits by eating healthier and doing more exercise.

“Two things increase the risk factor of diabetes,” she said. “One is being overweight, and the other is having a positive family history. The good news is that we know now that losing a small amount of weight can help.

“Being physically active for 30 minutes a day, and eating less calories will make a difference.”

Problems associated with diabetes include blindness, kidney failure, damage to circulation, heart disease and stroke.

After the figures were released last year, the Health Promotion Strategy was launched to reduce the rate of diabetes on the Island by improving the health of people most at risk.

Mrs. McKittrick said one of the simplest things people can do is set a realistic goal to lose weight. For a woman of 150 pounds, a sensible target is ten pounds; for a man of 185 pounds, it is 12 pounds.

Overweight people should find ways to reduce intake by a minimum of 100 calories a day.

This can be done by drinking more water instead of sweet drinks and limiting calorie-dense fatty foods such as potato chips, peanuts, mayonnaise and salad dressing.

Reducing general portion sizes is one recommended technique. People should avoid skipping meals because if the body receives no food at all, the kidney starts increasing its glucose levels.

Breakfast is particularly important as it kick-starts the body’s metabolism.

The advised level of exercise is 30 minutes, five days a week. This can include dancing, walking or housework.

“It’s a new year,” concluded Mrs. McKittrick. “Put on your new holiday sneakers and get started.”