Diabetes healthcare teams across the country have been invited to apply for NHS funding to help with the treatment and prevention of the condition.
This comes as Lincoln welcomed the Coca Cola truck this past weekend. Going into its sixth year, the truck is well renowned for its free drinks and festive music but for many people it is a sign of a worsening health crisis in the UK.
Last year Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East, publically asked Coca-Cola to not bring the truck to the city saying that it would send the wrong message in a place with a rising Type 2 diabetes problem.
Marie Williams, a mother who was attending the event with her son, said “I don’t often give my son fizzy drinks but today is a special occasion. Some kids have fizzy drinks on a daily basis and events like this really don’t help”.
It is estimated that 1 in 16 people (over 3 million adults) has diabetes in the UK, leading them to keep a strict diet, check blood sugar levels often and exercise regularly.
Linda Powell, who suffers with the condition, said that adults and parents alike have to be more responsible with fizzy drinks by making sure that they are drunk in moderation. She went on to say that the increase in diabetes is due to fattier foods and a lack of exercise by many people. Linda also said “It might be a good idea for food and drink advertising to be more truthful about ingredients and perhaps reduce fat and sugar contents to a more acceptable level.”
By 2050 it is expected that over 30% of boys and over 20% of girls will be obese, which is estimated to cost the NHS £6 billion per year.
The Soft Drinks Industry Levy, often called the sugar tax, aims to lower the amount of sugar in drinks by charging companies that produce these products with a high percentage of sugar.
Money collected by the tax will be invested in programmes to promote fitness and healthy eating among children. It is expected to be implemented by 2018.
Despite facing criticism for the sugar content in their drinks, Coca Cola have invested over £15 million to reduce the amount of sugar that they use.
Jordan, who was handing out free Coca Cola at the event, said “We are giving out small cans today and we make sure that only one is given to each person. This is part of our responsible marketing policy which also means we do not market Coca Cola to children under 12 years old.”
The Coca Cola truck will continue to travel across its 46 stops before finishing in Leicester Square on 20th December.
