Diabetes rates have grown by more than 70 per cent in the Mountains since 2000 according to the 2008 Diabetes in NSW Atlas. While this is much less than the 120 per cent rise across Australia, it remains a distressing statistic.

In recent years the message has started to get through that unhealthy lifestyles led by many Australians are contributing to the increase.

Springwood’s Ken Shaw is joining a campaign to alert Australians to a less understood risk factor of developing type 2 diabetes – family history.

Mr Shaw knew his sister had type 2 diabetes but never knew he could have the disease. All that changed 11 years ago.

“I visited the doctor for a toe problem and ended up having diabetes, it was quite a shock,” Mr Shaw said.

This year’s National Diabetes Week (July 13-19) will be used to alert people to the increased risk of developing the condition if it runs in the family.

Despite living with the disease for so long, Mr Shaw was not aware his kids were more susceptible because he had diabetes.

“I now have told the kids to get checks for diabetes and about how their family history puts them at risk. I just hope they are getting the message,” he said.

The key to alerting people about the condition, Mr Shaw said, is to increase education at an early age.

Diabetes Australia-NSW (DA-NSW) president Dr Neville Howard said while “people can’t change their history . . . the risk of developing type 2 diabetes can be reduced if everyone in the family adopts a healthy lifestyle of increased physical activity and eating healthily.”

These practises can reduce the risk of developing the disease by up to 60 per cent.

Dr Howard encouraged people to speak to a GP about their family history.

For more information visit the DA-NSW web site at www.diabetesnsw.com.au.