One in three children born in Jersey today will develop diabetes during their life, and by 2020 an estimated 10,000 Islanders will be suffering from the condition.
And the cost to the economy – including social security payments to cover sick leave as well as the price of treating diabetes and other obesity related conditions – will rise from its current level of £15 million to £30 million by the end of the decade.
The costs figure, given to the JEP by Jersey diabetes consultant Dr Peter Bates, is based on statistics from the UK’s National Audit Office and the Obesity Information Centre in England.
• See Thursday’s JEP for the full report
