Scotland faces worsening obesity and diabetes crisis as shocking stats reveal ten patients ever week have limbs amputated

Scotland faces worsening obesity and diabetes crisis as shocking stats reveal ten patients ever week have limbs amputated

Figures show NHS medics have removed 2,578 legs, arms, fingers or toes in the last five years

By Christine Lavelle

It’s thought one in 17 people have diabetes — many of them without realising it — while obesity is the biggest risk factor for the Type 2 form of the disease.

Tory public health spokeswoman Annie Wells said: “It’s now well established that obesity is among the biggest challenges that our NHS faces.

“People develop diabetes for a number of reasons but rising obesity levels increase rates of the illness.

“The fact hundreds of people each year are having to go through the trauma of amputation shows just how serious a problem this is.”