Rochdale great-grandad beats diabetes risk with five stone weight loss at age 76

Sunday, 1 June 2025 17:20

By David Murphy

Retired trucker John Adams-Fielding urges others to take action after slimming down and slashing his risk of type 2 diabetes through NHS prevention programme

A 76 year old retired lorry driver from Rochdale has lost five stone and dramatically reduced his risk of type 2 diabetes after joining the NHS Healthier You prevention programme.

John Adams-Fielding, a great grandfather of three, dropped his waist size from 48 inches to 36 inches and lowered his blood sugar level from 46 to 37 within a year moving it back into a healthy range.

John signed up for the programme after a routine blood test flagged he was at risk of developing diabetes. He took part in face-to-face group sessions in Rochdale where he learned about healthier eating, staying active, and managing his weight.

“I wanted to be there for my family,” John said. “For quite some time I had been thinking about my health going downhill, so when I was offered the programme, I embraced it.”

He added that making changes feel enjoyable was key to his success. “I would go for a walk in the park with music in my ears. I’ve made a lot of friends through walking, people I talk to every day now.”

As well as switching sugary snacks for porridge and introducing regular routines, John says support from his Healthier You group helped him stay motivated.

John is sharing his story during Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week (26 May to 1 June) to encourage others to act early and reduce their own risk.

Dr James Hider, diabetes prevention lead for NHS Greater Manchester, said: “There are many people like John who could improve their health with just a few changes. Some may not even realise they are at risk, which is why early intervention is so important.”

Over 144,000 people in Greater Manchester are considered pre-diabetic, with blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. More than 33,000 people in the region have started the Healthier You programme since 2019.

For more details on how to get involved, visit: https://www.healthieryou.reedwellbeing.com