Get checked while you're still healthy: that's the message from local health professionals in the wake of Adaminaby's alarming diabetes figures which at 59 per cent of the population in the 2629 postcode area, put it at the highest in the entire country.

Health professionals remain unable to explain the high percentage of diabetics in the Adaminaby area. Diabetes educator at Diabetes NSW, Kris Hazelwood, said: "It could be a combination of factors such as a genetic pre-disposition to diabetes, particularly among those with a European background, lifestyle aspects and age."

Ms Hazelwood said that there is more cardio-vascular disease in rural areas as some people tend to live off the land and have full fat products.

Adaminaby's Val Saunders, who has diabetes, said that she thought much of the diabetes in the town was, like hers, hereditary and that some people had the disease before moving to the town.

Several people have pointed to Adaminaby's older population; almost 40 per cent are over 55 years old and the median age is 48 compared to the national median age of 37.

However, Merimbula on the South Coast has 41 per cent of its population over 55 which includes 25 per cent over 65 years. Its median age is 49 but the latest figures show the percentage of diabetics is 4.93.

Berridale has 3.04 per cent diabetes and Jindabyne has 2.96 per cent but Thredbo has the honour of being the second lowest in the country at 0.21 per cent. A factor in Thredbo's figure would undoubtedly be its lower average age at 35 years.

What to look for:

Waist measurements over 84cms for women and over 100cms for men

Family history: one person in the family gives you a 20 per cent chance of developing diabetes but it increases to 50 per cent with two people.

Blood pressure: it should be less than 130 over 80.

Increase in needing to urinate

Increased thirst

Blurry vision

Continual infections of the urinary tract and/or skin infections

Get a test

Ms Hazelwood explained that there is a condition called pre-diabetes which if picked up during tests can help you delay if not prevent the onset of the disease.

"Give yourself a birthday present and get a test," Ms Hazelwood said.

Jindabyne nurse, Danni Matson, who runs the diabetes clinic at Nugget's Crossing Practice, said: "It keeps coming back to diet and lifestyle. Go for two fruit and five serves of vegetables every day (only one serve should be potato) and get a daily 30 minutes of activity which leaves you able to talk but not able to sing."