Behind the Headlines

Sedentary lifestyle, not watching TV, may up diabetes risk

Thursday Apr 2 2015

"Experts claim being a couch potato can increase the risk of developing diabetes," the Daily Express reports. A study estimated that each hour of time spent watching TV increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 2.1% in high-risk people…

Frequent antibiotic use linked to higher type 2 diabetes risk

Wednesday Mar 25 2015

"Repeated antibiotic use linked to diabetes," BBC News reports. A major new study found that people who took five or more courses a year had a higher than normal risk of developing type 2 diabetes…

Obese people 'underestimate how much sugar they eat'

Tuesday Mar 17 2015

"Obese people are 'in denial' about the amount of sugar they eat," the Mail Online reports. Researchers looking into the link between sugar consumption and obesity found a "huge gap" between overweight people's self-reported...

Genetic high cholesterol 'may help protect against type 2 diabetes'

Wednesday Mar 11 2015

"High cholesterol LOWERS the risk of diabetes," is the Daily Mail's rather misleading headline, going on to say that, "New study reveals why taking statins may be harmful"…

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Does deadly diet drug DNP defeat diabetes?

Friday Feb 27 2015

"A chemical [DNP] which caused munitions factory workers to lose weight inexplicably in the First World War could cure diabetes," The Daily Telegraph reports. The banned weight loss drug looked effective and safe when given in a modified form to rats…

Obesity damage to eggs may be reversible

Wednesday Feb 11 2015

"Damaging effect of obesity on a woman’s eggs can now be reversed," is the misleading headline from the Mail Online today. The over-egged headline refers to a mouse, not human, study looking at obesity and fertility…

'Smart insulin' could be used to treat type 1 diabetes

Tuesday Feb 10 2015

"Diabetes patients could be spared the burden of constantly monitoring blood sugar levels, after scientists have developed a 'smart' form of insulin," The Guardian reports. A modified form of insulin, only tested in mice, shows promise…

Type 1 diabetes 'more dangerous' in women

Monday Feb 9 2015

"Type 1 diabetes is more dangerous for women than men, study finds,” The Daily Telegraph reports. A large review found gender inequality in overall deaths among people with type 1 diabetes, and also deaths due to heart disease...

Modified bacteria may be useful in treating diabetes

Wednesday Feb 4 2015

“Breakthrough pill can cure diabetes,” is the completely misleading report in the Daily Express. While researchers have achieved some level of success in using bacteria to improve diabetes control in rats, this in no way amounts to a cure for humans…

Brown fat may protect against diabetes and obesity

Monday Jan 26 2015

“Fat can protect you against obesity and diabetes," the Mail Online reports. However, the small study it reports on was looking at brown fat, which is only found in small amounts in adults…