Type 2 diabetes is a common yet often preventable condition which causes levels of sugar in the blood to become too high. It heightens the risk of developing serious problems that can affect the heart, eyes and nerves.
Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes, but certain factors can increase your risk. People at a higher risk include men, people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight and those with a family history of type 2 diabetes. You can check your risk using the free Know Your Risk tool from Diabetes UK.
If you’re at risk, the good news is that changes to lifestyle habits can help to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from developing altogether. This can include eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active. You can find tips on you can improve your lifestyle habits on our pages about staying well and on the Diabetes UK website.
Those who have been told by a healthcare professional that they are at risk of developing the condition can sign up to the NHS diabetes prevention programme.
Reducing risks of type 2 diabetes is everyone’s business. Check your risk during Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week. For more information about type 2 diabetes, visit the NHS website.