Are you at risk?
Type 2 diabetes
You could be more at risk than you think
Anyone can develop Type 2 diabetes, but certain factors can increase your risk:
- The older you are, the greater your risk is likely to be. However, those from the ethnic groups outlined below tend to be at risk at a younger age.
- You’re two to six times more at risk if you have a parent, child, brother or sister with Type 2 diabetes.
- You’re more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if you’re over 25 and from a Chinese, South Asian, Black Caribbean or Black African ethnic background.
- You are more at risk of Type 2 diabetes if you carry excess weight, have obesity or if you’ve ever had high blood pressure.
There are also other factors associated with an increased risk:
- You’re more at risk if you’ve ever had a heart attack or stroke, if you’ve ever had schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression, or if you are receiving treatment with anti-psychotic medication
- You’re more at risk if you are a woman who has had polycystic ovarian syndrome, gestational diabetes, or given birth to a baby weighing over 10 pounds
If you’re at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible for your free local Healthier You service.
- This will help you put your health back in your hands by supporting you to lose weight (where appropriate), get more physically active and eat healthy food.
- Taking action now is really important as it can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
- Finding out your risk only takes a few minutes using the Diabetes UK risk tool. It could be the most important thing you do today. Make sure to have a tape measure handy as you’ll need to measure your waist.
Published: Aug 8, 2022
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