Glasgow MSP Bob Doris has welcomed a new joint partnership between Diabetes UK Scotland and Edinburgh International Science Festival to tackle long-term health problems including diabetes. Live for It! is a new interactive programme of workshops and activities designed to teach children about the problems associated with childhood obesity and to highlight the possible risks of developing Type 2 diabetes in later life. The programme ties in with Scotland's curriculum for excellence in Health and Wellbeing and has already been delivered to schools in areas with high levels of Type 2 diabetes across Glasgow.

Bob Doris said We need urgent preventative educational action to tackle the looming diabetes epidemic in Scotland. Our children are ever increasingly likely to develop Type 2 diabetes in later life. They need to be encouraged to lead healthy lives now if this trend is going to be reversed. I firmly believe it can be reversed.

Jane-Claire Judson, National Director of Diabetes UK Scotland said: One third of children are overweight or obese in Scotland and the impact on the nation's future health has never been far from the public's attention.  Being overweight or obese is a key risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes in adulthood. There are also almost 2000 children under the age of 14 living with Type 1 diabetes in Scotland and this project will also try to improve knowledge of the challenges school students face when they have diabetes.

Notes: 

Diabetes is a condition where the body can't use glucose (sugar) properly. If untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputations. There are two forms of diabetes - Type 1, which usually develops in younger people, and Type 2, which largely affects people over the age of 40 and is the most prevalent form of the condition.
1      Diabetes UK Scotland is the charity for people with diabetes. One of the largest patient bodies in the country, we have over 11,000 individual members and over 40 voluntary groups in Scotland). Diabetes UK Scotland campaigns on behalf of people with diabetes, provides information and support and funds research.
2      1,898 children under the age of 14 in Scotland have Type 1 diabetes and Scotland has one of highest rates for the condition in Europe.
3      Edinburgh International Science Festival, founded in 1989, is an educational charity that inspires people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the wonder of the world around them. It is best known for organising Edinburgh's annual Science Festival - the world's first celebration of science and technology, and still one of Europe's largest. Of equal importance, however, is its schools touring programme, Generation Science, which brings science to life in Scottish classrooms throughout the year. www.sciencefestival.co.uk