Believe it or not, more than a million Britons are unaware that they are living with type 2 diabetes, a new study has revealed.

The study by Diabetes Health Intelligence has found that about 1.1 million people could be suffering from diabetes linked to obesity and sedentary lifestyles - without even realising it, the ‘Daily Express’ reported.

Diabetics are at higher risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, leg amputation and blindness. With the figure twice as high as previously thought, the research is troubling for Britain’s already over-stretched health system.

The study claims 820,000 adults in England alone have undiagnosed diabetes. Despite advances in detection, incidence is spiralling, largely due to growing levels of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles.

According to charity Diabetes UK, the revised statistics could mean that the number of sufferers of Type 2 and Type 1 - which is not linked to unhealthy living - could hit 5.5 million by 2030.

There are currently about 2.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and according to a study in 2008. Type 2 can go undetected for a decade or longer, which means around half of people already show signs of complications by the time they are diagnosed.

Consultant diabetologist Dr Bob Young said: “Diabetes care is now very effective. But it can be offered only to people who know they have it. These new estimates of prevalence should spur health services to ensure more people are diagnosed and have the chance to avoid the serious consequences of untreated diabetes.”

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timesofindia.indiatimes.com