Type 2 diabetes is largely caused by lifestyle factors which can be changed to prevent or reduce your chances of developing the condition.
People who carry excess weight are at increased risk because their blood sugar levels are often slightly higher than they should be and fall into the ‘pre-diabetic’ range. If blood sugars remain at this level, patients are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.
The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme focuses on helping people to lose weight, increase their physical activity levels and improve their diet in ways that fit in with their own individual daily routines.
It also provides support with problem-solving and stress-reduction and shows how people can develop coping skills to manage some of the factors that can cause them to eat more.
Learn more about the Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Programme in your area:
Calculate your risk
Use the Diabetes Risk Calculator to find out if you are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. You are advised to contact your GP surgery for an appointment if you are.
Other factors can lead to an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes but these are things we cannot change. Black people and people of south Asian origin are more at risk, as is anyone with a family history of diabetes or a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. We are all more at risk as we get older.
Change the risk factor you can do something about
Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and is a major contributory factor to kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.
It also makes it more difficult for patients to fight serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease and viruses such as COVID-19.
