DALJIT Grewal does not believe he would be here today were it not for the X-pert lifestyle course.

The 66-year-old, of Lyndhurst Avenue, Whitton, feared the worst when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes two years ago.

But the five-week programme, which offers advice on exercise and healthy eating to those newly diagnosed with the disease, helped him turn his life around.

He shed nearly six stone, dropping in shirt size from XXXL to medium, and started walking regularly in his local park.

Today he is able to keep up with his six young grandchildren, regularly taking them swimming, and lead a normal life despite the disease.

“I seriously think it (X-pert) has added seven or eight years to my life. If I hadn’t done it I don’t think I’d be speaking to you today,” says Daljit, who was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to Indian parents.

“I was a very athletic person in my younger days but it’s easy to become a bit lazy and put on weight. I came to a country where I didn’t know anyone. I was working very hard and struggling to adjust and I started to forget about my weight.

“X-pert helped me lose weight and has given me more energy, which helps when spending time with the grandchildren.”

Daljit was referred to the programme, run by Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare (HRCH) NHS Trust, by his doctor but was initially reluctant to join.

“My first reaction (to being diagnosed) was one of denial but when I realised the damage it could do that motivated me to go on this course,” he said. “I found it very easy to lose weight. There was a lot of encouragement from other people on the course. I started walking more and set up a walking group in the park, which made it more interesting.”

There are 15,000 diabetics in Hounslow, according to the most recent estimate from Diabetes UK, many of whom have yet to be diagnosed.

Nationally, about 3.8 million people have the condition and that is expected to rise to 6.25 million by 2036.

Type 2 diabetes occurs later in life and is by far the most common form of the disease.

It is particularly prevalent among the South Asian population, with up to one in four affected.

X-pert was set up six years ago to help people manage the condition, with some courses delivered in Hindu or Urdu.

The programme educates people about diabetes and gives them advice about managing their weight.

Last year, 870 people were invited to take part, most having been referred by their GP, but only 45 per cent accepted the invitation.

X-pert service manager Rupindar Sahota urged more people to take advantage of the course.

“The incidence of Type 2 diabetes, which is highly linked to people being overweight or obese, is going up all the time,” she said. “If people can lose just five to 10 per cent of their weight it can help control their blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels. That can help reduce the chance of developing long-term complications.

“Diabetes is the leading cause of things like heart attacks and strokes. It can also cause blindness and kidney failure and lead to amputations.

“If people can access this course at an early stage of their diagnosis their long-term outcomes are much improved. Once people develop complications it’s much harder to reverse the damage. X-pert is not just about giving people the knowledge, it’s about giving them the confidence to manage their own condition.”

For more about X-Pert, visit www.xpert-diabetes.org.uk . To take part, call Hounslow Diabetes Service on 020 8630 3564 or ask your GP for a referral.

DIABETES FACTS

• Type 1 diabetes is when the body does not produce the hormone insulin, which enables the body to break down glusoce. It usually develops at a young age

• Type 2 diabetes is when the body produces too little insulin or the body’s cells do not react to it. It usually develops later in life

• Diabetes accounts for five to 10 per cent of the world’s healthcare budget *

• For every kilogram of weight lost a year after Type 2 diagnosis, there is a three to four month increased life expectancy **

• Diabetes is the leading cause of death due to heart attack and stroke *

• Diabetes accounts for five to 10 per cent of the world’s healthcare budget *

* According to HRCH

** According to Diabetes UK