A THIRD of people in our region could be risking their physical and emotional health by keeping their diabetes a secret.

According to a new survey by Diabetes UK, 35 per cent of diabetics in Yorkshire and the Humber had previously, or still were, keeping their condition from friends and family.

A further third of that figure admitted that their discretion had affected their physical or emotional health and a quarter of sufferers said the need to keep it a secret was down to fears of discrimination or bullying.

“We have to ask why so many people with diabetes keep it a secret,” said Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK It is hugely concerning that the health and wellbeing of so many people could be at risk as a result of discrimination or prejudice.”

The findings come at the start of Diabetes Week today, which will see Diabetes UK aiming to raise £200,000.

Meanwhile another study published today has revealed further alarming statistics on the attitude of Yorkshire residents to diabetes.

The findings, commissioned by Lloydspharmacy, point out that while being overweight and over the age of 40 are two key risk factors for developing Type II diabetes, nearly half (47 per cent) of over-40s in Yorkshire admit they have “let themselves go”.

Another 42 per cent of Yorkshire residents said they wish they could “turn back the clock” and to rectify the current state of their health.

More than 100,000 people are diagnosed with Type II diabetes every year in the UK. This equates to about 275 new cases every day or one every five minutes.

Despite diabetes being one of the biggest threats to the health of the nation, Yorkshire came out as one of the least knowledgeable regions about the condition, with 43 per cent of those questioned saying they didn’t understand what Type 2 diabetes was and a quarter unable to name a single complication associated with the disease, such as limb amputations, cardiovascular disease or blindness.

For further information, visit diabetes.org.uk/diabetesweek