With the incidence of diabetes increasing by more than 100 per cent in NSW (120 per cent in the Warren local government area) Diabetes Australia-NSW has mounted a campaign to alert Australians to a misunderstood risk factor of developing type 2 diabetes - family history.

It comes after a new national survey revealed there was widespread lack of awareness among all Australians about the risks to family members if someone in the family has type 2 diabetes.

While 75 per cent of Australians understand that obesity and

being overweight are risk factors for type 2 diabetes, only 25 per cent link family history with the disease.

Diabetes Australia-NSW has chosen to focus on family history of the disease as its theme for Diabetes Awareness Week from July 13 to 19, with the slogan ‘type 2 diabetes runs in families’.

It is estimated that people who have both parents with type 2 diabetes have a one in two chance of developing it.

“We need to alert people to realise that family history also means a future risk for children whose parents or grandparents have type 2 diabetes,” president of Diabetes Australia-NSW Dr Neville Howard said.

Dr Howard said people couldn’t change their history but the risk of developing type 2 diabetes could be reduced if everyone in the family adopted a healthy lifestyle of increased physical activity and eating healthily.

He added people should also discuss their family history with their general practitioner.

Diabetes Australia-NSW has made a television community service announcement informing people that a family history of type 2 diabetes puts children at risk.

The charity has also produced a set of four booklets to tell people how type 1 and type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes affects the family and inform them about lifestyle choices and management of the disease.

The information can be

downloaded from the Diabetes Australia website www.diabetesnsw.com.au