(20-March-2005) OBESE people are up to 80 times more likely to develop diabetes than those of a healthy weight, a new report has warned.

Doctors have blamed rising levels of Type 2 diabetes on the UK's increasing number of overweight and obese adults.

More cases are being seen among young people, warn health campaigners.

The Charity Diabetes UK report shows how weight contributes to the development of the condition.

Figures show that22% of men and 23% of women in England are obese - a threefold increase since the 1980s. Some 65% of men and 56% of women - 24 million adults - are either overweight or obese.

About 16% of twoto 15-year-olds are also obese.

Treating ill-health caused by poor diet costs the NHS at least pounds 4 billion a year.

Diabetes UK said the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increased as an individual's Body Mass Index - a measurement of weight relative to height - also increased



Source: Liverpool Echo