HEALTH chiefs at NHS South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are backing World Diabetes Day (today) and are encouraging people to start the day with a healthy breakfast.

World Diabetes Day, which is led by International Diabetes Federation (IDF), is celebrated annually on November 14. The focus for 2014 is on the importance of eating healthy breakfasts to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

According to the IDF, 70 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented by healthy diet and physical activity.

Dr Jon Evans is the clinical lead for Long-Term Conditions at South Gloucestershire CCG, the GP-led body responsible for planning and buying healthcare for the local population. He said:

“Diabetes affects 6 per cent of adults in England and there are currently more than 10,000 people in South Gloucestershire living with the condition.

“We’re supporting World Diabetes Day and are advising people to swap unhealthy foods such as pastries, fried foods, sweetened yoghurt and sugary drinks for breakfast for wholegrain bread, eggs, fresh fruit, leafy vegetables, lean meat, fish and nuts.

“A healthy breakfast can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and avoid complications in people with diabetes. Skipping breakfast is also associated with weight gain – one of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes.”

Currently in South Gloucestershire, patients with diabetes are seen in GP practices for most of their care and their annual diabetes health checks. However, patients living with complex disease are increasingly referred to hospital.

The CCG is looking to set up a specialist diabetic nurse provision in 2015 to support GPs and practice nurses in the management of patients with complex diabetes or multiple illnesses to ensure patients receive the highest standards of care.

Dr Evans added: “People with diabetes are at higher risk of diabetic complications for angina and heart failure. Specialist diabetic nurse provision enables patients to access better care, support and be taught to manage the condition more effectively themselves.

“In this way our local population can be empowered to reduce risk factors by engaging in exercise, addressing diet composition, control their weight and stop smoking. In addition to this, glucose control, blood pressure control and cholesterol control can be optimised.”

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. In England in 2010, there were approximately 3.1 million people aged 16 or over with diabetes – this figure is expected to rise to 4.6 million by 2030, with 90% of those affected having type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes include feeling very thirsty, feeling very tired, urinating frequently, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision and cuts or wounds that heal slowly.

If you notice any of these symptoms you should visit your GP as soon as possible.

For further details about South Gloucestershire CCG, visit www.southgloucestershireccg.nhs.uk or follow the CCG on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SGlosCCG.