Australians at risk

WE may consider ourselves a developed and healthy nation, but diabetes is getting the better of Australians.

In the past five years the incidents of the disease in this country has doubled. Aborigines suffer the fourth highest rate in the world.

HIGH RISK FACTORS

If you match any of the following factors, you may be in a high-risk group for diabetes.

* Overweight

* Physically inactive

* A family history of diabetes

* High blood pressure

* High blood sugar levels during pregnancy

* Aged over 40

* Suffer from heart disease

* Have suffered from a heart attack

* Have an an indigenous Australian or Torres Strait Island background and over the age of 35

* Are from a Pacific Islander, Chinese or Indian subcontinent and over the age of 35.