Type 2 diabetes preventable in up to 60 pct of cases: Austrian experts

Type 2 diabetes is preventable in up to 60 percent of cases if early signs are recognized and acted upon, experts said on Tuesday.

"Eight percent of the Austrian population suffers from diabetes but only two-thirds know they have it," Vienna General Hospital Thomas Stulnig said in a press conference.

He added that late diagnoses lead to enormous health costs and 20 percent of patients have long-term damage by the time of diagnosis.

He said the type 2 form of diabetes usually develops slowly and can be prevented in the 60 percent of cases by an intensive lifestyle change.

Warning signs for onset of the condition include fat accumulation on the stomach, under two and half hours of exercise per week, increased blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood fat levels.

Austrian Academic Institute of Nutritional Medicine (OeAIE) head Kurt Widhalm said the most important things to counter the condition are weight loss of five percent, a reduction in fat content in diet of 30 percent, a reduction in saturated fat consumption, increased fiber intake of more than 15 grams per day, and at least four hours of exercise per week. Endit