Deputy shock at diabetes numbers

Deputies are expressing shock over the number of people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Guernsey.

Fifteen to 20 new cases of the condition are being diagnosed in the island each month.

Speaking during debate on obesity, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq told the House it was a serious issue.

A recent report for the States, published earlier this month, has shown 62% of adult men in the island, and 50% of women, are overweight or obese.

Official strategy

"I was shocked by the statistics," said Deputy le Tocq.

"It is a really serious issue, not just in terms of the cost to the Health Department but to us all really."

Recommendations in the report, published earlier this month, range from a traffic light labelling system for locally produced food to providing free fruit for some school pupils.

If deputies agree they will form the base of an official strategy, which will go to the States next year.