COULD your diet be putting you at a higher risk of diabetes?
Health experts have been speaking to shoppers at Freeman Street Market about how eating better and improving your lifestyle can reduce your risk.
It comes as it was revealed the number of people with Type 2 Diabetes in North East Lincolnshire is higher than the national average.
Locally, 6.4 per cent of residents have been diagnosed with the condition, compared to 6 per cent nationally.
The event, organised by North East Lincolnshire Council, The Care Plus Group and North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, saw several interactive stalls being set up.
Among them was a healthy eating stand and a pedal-powered smoothie maker.
Rachel Ogley, Health and Wellbeing collaborative programme assistant, said the event had been put on to raise awareness of both diabetes and pre-diabetes.
She said: "We decided to set this event up when we heard that Diabetes UK – a charity that supports people who are affected by the condition – didn't have the funding to bring their roadshow to Grimsby.
"We've managed to pull this together on a small budget and we are trying to get people to think about the risks associated with diabetes and how likely they are to suffer from it in later life.
"We are letting people know about the stages before someone is diagnosed with diabetes, known as pre-diabetes, and the things they can do to prevent them from suffering with the condition."
At the event, passers-by were encouraged to fill in a points-based questionnaire to determine how likely they are to develop diabetes. Those at either moderate or high risk are referred to their local GP and invited to attend classes to understand how they could lower those risks.
Sarah Harvey, from Food For Fitness, was demonstrating to shoppers how they could cut down on their sugar and salt intake, giving live demonstrations of cooking healthy meals.
She said: "I think people have been quite surprised at how easily they can make their own meals instead of buying ready meals.
"A number of stalls in the market have donated ingredients to us and we have managed to do all this for a low cost.
"Some of the older people we meet are quite set in their ways, so it is good to speak to them and show them how they can eat better.
"Grimsby is above the national average for diabetes, so it is vital that we held an awareness event here."
Managing director at the Cycle Hub, Janine Walker, also attended the event and brought along her custom-made bicycle which produces smoothies using a blender attached to the pedals.
She said: "I was approached by Rachel to come along.
"I think the stalls have helped to visualise the damage people are doing to their bodies by not eating healthily."
Time To Measure Up events, aimed at reducing people's risk of developing diabetes, are being held at Centre4, 17a Wootton Road, Grimsby on December 9, January 13 and February 10.
If you would like to attend, contact Julie Hawkins on 01472 232266.
For more information on the condition, log on to www.diabetes.org.uk
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