Charity warns Chinese community over type 2 risk

A leading diabetes charity has issued a warning at the start of the Chinese New Year for the Chinese community to check their risk of type 2 diabetes.

Chinese people are one of the ethnic groups at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and at a younger age.

Diabetes UK is encouraging the Chinese community to adopt positive changes in their new year, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet and doing more physical activity.

The Chinese New Year is an important festival and the date of it each year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar. It is currently the Year of the Monkey and this year it began on Monday, February 8.

Krishna Sarda, engaging communities manager at Diabetes UK, said: “Chinese New Year marks a new beginning and it is a great opportunity to take a look at your lifestyle and make any changes you need to.

“And as Chinese people are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, getting to know your risk and finding ways to reduce this is a good first step.

“If you do have diabetes and have lots of big meals and celebrations coming up over the Chinese New Year, it is worth planning in advance how you will approach them.

“There is no need to miss out on any food and you can still enjoy your favourite dishes in moderation or by trying out healthier versions. If you test blood glucose levels at home, it is important to do this more frequently during this period, as it will help you understand how your food choices affect your diabetes control.

“Whether or not you have diabetes, if you are looking for healthier ways to cook traditional dishes, Diabetes UK’s Enjoy Food initiative has recipes including beef chop suey, chicken chow mein and tofu stir-fry.”

Anyone wanting to find out their risk of developing type 2 diabetes can use Diabetes UK’s online risk tool. The charity also provides recipes and dietary advice on its Enjoy Food pages.