In September 2020 the government introduced a new scheme which set out to improve the health of adults across the UK.
The soup and shake scheme, which was initially given out to 5,000 people from ten different areas, has now been expanded out to a further 11 regions and will help thousands more access the “life-changing” programme.
So far, the diet has seen people who have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes reverse their diagnosis simply by controlling their blood sugar levels due to the consumption of a lower calorie diet.
Findings from the initial stages of the programme shows that participants have lost on average 7.2kg in the first month and 13.4kg after three months.
According to Diabetes UK, one in ten adults could be diagnosed with diabetes within the next decade, approximately 5.5 million people.
Chris Askew OBE, Chief Executive, Diabetes UK said: "Every diagnosis of diabetes is life-changing. The relentlessness of the condition, and the ever-present fear of serious and life-altering complications is a lifelong reality for millions of families across the UK.
It’s a sobering thought then that, if we don’t act today, hundreds of thousands more will face the life-changing news that they have type 2 diabetes. We’re at the tipping point of a public health emergency and need action today to stop it in its tracks.
But it doesn’t have to be this way – we know that with the right care and support, diabetes complications can be avoided, and cases of type 2 diabetes can be put into remission or prevented altogether.
We don’t want our prediction to become a reality. What we need to see is the will, grit and determination from government to halt this crisis in its tracks and improve the future health of our nation for generations to come."
The programme runs for 12 months in total and is monitored by expert clinicians who work with participants to improve their lifestyle.
It is estimated that the NHS spend £10 billion a year treating diabetes, with one in every 20 prescriptions written by GP’s being for diabetes related illnesses.
Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS national clinical director for diabetes and obesity said: “The fantastic results our participants have achieved through this programme are really encouraging and show that real-world experience is in line with what we have found in trials. We know this weight loss will go a long way to help people stay well and avoid preventable illness, and for many will also mean they can put Type 2 diabetes into remission.
“This is also the latest example of the NHS rapidly adopting the latest evidence-based treatments to help people with Type 2 diabetes live well. With research showing that obesity causes more severe illness from COVID-19, as well as other serious diseases, there has never been a more important time to lose weight”.
