But culture also plays a role, says Huvers. “Southeast Drenthe has a much more difficult time in the Netherlands due to income, education level and opportunities. People with a low socio-economic status have a twice as high risk of type 2 diabetes compared to people who are better educated and have sufficient income. De Drent has been very poor for two, three, four generations. And that continues to have an effect. Grandma did it that way, mother did it that way and so I do it that way too. But we are no longer peat workers.”
The Drenthe lifestyle must therefore change. “In the past you needed a lot of food because you did heavy work. Nowadays we do different things.”
According to Huvers and Wessels, children should be encouraged to exercise more. Wessels: “That depends on the parents and the environment of a child. They have to make it fun for the children. If you take steps in this regard, it will benefit the children more in the future and we will see that the increase in the number of diabetes patients in this target group will stagnate.”
Finally, Huvers has clear advice for living a healthier life. “Throw away the e-bike. And get a regular bike or a mountain bike.”