New research predicts that about one-third of Australians with diabetes will die in the next decade.

These shocking statistics were presented at an international diabetes conference.

To say they present a grim outlook for the nation and the developing type two diabetes crisis would be an understatement.

The numbers point to a 13 per cent mortality rate in the next five years, and 31 per cent would be dead within a decade.

As a society we can put a man on the moon; we can clone a sheep, we have dared to challenge other nations for hunting and killing whales, but too many of us are doing something as simple as consuming too much of the wrong type of food and drink.

We are consigning ourselves to illnesses such as diabetes, complete with its associated and unpleasant complications such as amputation, blindness and renal failure.

More than 700,000 Australians have diabetes. Of this figure, about 85 per cent have type two diabetes.

Experts believe this is caused mostly by poor diet, inadequate exercise and excess weight gain.

And while medical experts talk of a looming 'diabesity' crisis, we do not need to be experts to do something about it.

Get up from the couch, go for more walks, eat better, drink more water and commit to a healthier, more active lifestyle.

There's never been a better reason to take control of your health and your life than life itself.

What do you think?

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