A designer has shown what a diet high in sugar can do to the body by creating a series of graphic images showing gaping, non-healing wounds caused by diabetes.
The images, which were created by designer Nattakong Jaengsem for The Diabetes Association of Thailand, show the long-term complications of diabetes which one health expert has described as "irreversible".
At a first glance, the photographs show gruesome gaping wounds on arms and legs. But under closer inspection, you see that the wounds have been cleverly created using sweet treats such as cake, ice cream and jelly sweets.
The aim of the campaign is to warn people of the dangers of consuming a diet high in sugar.
Diabetes is the most common cause of visual impairment and blindness among people of working age, and the most common cause of kidney failure and non-traumatic lower limb amputations.
People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to have heart disease and stroke, compared to those without diabetes, according to NHS Choices.
Discussing the campaign, Dr Helen Webberley, the dedicated GP for Oxford Online Pharmacy, told The Huffington Post UK: "This campaign reminds me of the grotesque photos of lung cancers which can be found on cigarette packets. They are certainly shocking, but the question is: do they actually work?
"If this increases people's awareness that our sugar-rich modern diet does insidiously harm our health, and lead to long-term complications that are irreversible, then I am all for it.
"I actually like the way in which sweets have been used to depict the wounds that they can cause. All too often, I think we are too scared to offend in this country but sometimes it takes hard hitting truth to drive the message home."
Diabetes is the most common cause of visual impairment and blindness among people of working age, and the most common cause of kidney failure and non-traumatic lower limb amputations.
In England alone, there are currently more than 135 diabetes-related leg, foot or toe amputations every week.
People with diabetes are also up to five times more likely to have heart disease and stroke, compared to those without diabetes, according to NHS Choices.
Nikki Joule, policy manager for Diabetes UK, said: "The vast majority of these amputations could be prevented through better healthcare and improved management of the condition."
In an attempt to cut the number of "unnecessary" amputations in people with diabetes, the charity has launched a Putting Feet First campaign which advises people with diabetes on how to conduct proper foot checks.
