OUCH: About 6000 in the region have type 2 diabetes and receive Federal Government support.

OUCH: About 6000 in the region have type 2 diabetes and receive Federal Government support. Mike Watson Images

AN EXTRA 500 Bundaberg residents have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the past two years, new figures show.

Diabetes Queensland statistics released yesterday shows the number of people living with type 2 diabetes in Bundaberg has jumped about 10% in the past two years.

This was the same growth as the state average.

The figures show there are about 6000 residents in the Bundaberg local government area who have type 2 diabetes and receive Federal Government support.

This compares with 5400 people in 2013.

In the wider region, Diabetes Queensland chief Michelle Trute said there were more than 17,000 people with type 2 diabetes, also a 10% increase since 2013.

But Ms Trute was concerned there were 47,000 more people living with type 2 diabetes who were undiagnosed, had pre-diabetes or were at risk of developing the condition.

These regional figures were a combination of Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Cherbourg, North Burnett, South Burnett and Gympie local government areas.

Of these, South Burnett had the highest increase of type 2 diabetics, with a 13% spike in diagnoses between 2013 and 2015.

This was the eighth worst figure in the state.

Type 2 diabetes is known as a lifestyle condition and makes up 85-90% of all diabetics. It is most common among overweight people.

Ms Trute said studies had shown type 2 diabetes could be prevented in 58% of cases.

"Type 2 diabetes is the single biggest challenge facing Queensland's health system and the new figures show how rapidly the numbers are increasing," Ms Trute said.

"Unless we act now Queensland could see diabetes-related health care spending increase by as much as 500% over three decades to 2032."

Type 2 diabetes

(Figures based on local government area)

BUNDABERG

10% INCREASE

2013: 5424 people

2015: 5942 people

NORTH BURNETT

9% INCREASE

2013: 409 people

2015: 444 people

FRASER COAST

11% INCREASE

2013: 5544 people

2015: 6156 people

SOUTH BURNETT

13% INCREASE

2013: 1534 people

2015: 1731 people