A Scottish Government spokesman said, "Tackling rising rates of diabetes - particularly the obesity-linked type 2 - is a priority for the Scottish Government. Raising awareness is crucial if we are to prevent increasing numbers of people developing this conditionThe key focus is on encouraging people to reduce their risk of developing the condition by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight and leading an active lifestyleOur Diabetes Action Plan was launched this year, which considered both treatment of those with the condition and how we work towards preventing cases developing."

Simon O'Neill, Diabetes UK's director of care, information and advocacy said, "Once again we see a shocking rise in diabetes and obesity rates in the UKMany, but not all, people develop Type 2 diabetes because they are overweight so we must keep up the mantra of five fruit and vegetables a day, encourage daily physical activity and warn of the potentially devastating consequences of an unhealthy lifestyleThe obesity-fuelled Type 2 diabetes epidemic is a clear example of where the new coalition Government's rhetoric of tackling health problems through prevention must be turned into action. Failure to act now means a bleak future of spiralling NHS costs and worsening public health."

Even children would not be spared said, Tam Fry, of the Child Growth Foundation who added, "These figures confirm how appalling the levels of diabetes and obesity are in this country, and they would be even worse if they included childrenUnfortunately, we can expect levels to go up even if in some parts of the country obesity may be being brought under control. The fat are just getting fatter and suffering the consequences of excess weight."

The Americans are no better off. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed on Friday that the prevalence of diabetes could increase to between one and five and one in three adults in the next 40 years.