What is Diabetes?
Understanding Diabetes: The Importance of Early Awareness
Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose). It develops when your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively. Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells to be used for energy. When this process doesn’t work properly, blood sugar levels rise a condition known as hyperglycaemia.
However, developing diabetes doesn’t happen overnight. It is often preceded by years of rising blood sugar levels that go unnoticed. Recognising and acting on the early signs can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Types of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It usually develops in childhood or early adulthood, though it can occur at any age. People with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin treatment.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common and typically develops later in life. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it. Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to lifestyle factors such as being overweight, physical inactivity, and poor diet, though genetics and age also play a role.
A third, temporary type gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy and usually resolves after birth, though it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on.
Prediabetes: A Reversible Warning Sign
Before type 2 diabetes develops, many people experience prediabetes, also known as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia. This means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.
HbA1c Range (mmol/mol) – What It Means:
- <42 – Normal
- 42 – 47 At risk (Prediabetes)
- 48 or above Diabetes (diagnosis)
An HbA1c result between 42 and 47 mmol/mol (6.0–6.4%) signals that your body is not managing glucose efficiently. This is your opportunity to act early. With lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, increased physical activity, and achieving a healthy weight it’s possible to lower your blood sugar and prevent type 2 diabetes from developing.
How Common Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges in the UK.
According to Diabetes UK (diabetes.org.uk):
- Over 4.6 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes
- Around 90% of these cases are type 2 diabetes
- Approximately 1.3 million people are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes
- An estimated 6.3 million people have prediabetes (non-diabetic hyperglycaemia)
Altogether, this means more than 12 million people in the UK around one in five adults are living with diabetes or prediabetes.
Who’s at Risk?
Age, Weight, and Family History: Key Risk Factors
Certain factors significantly increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, many of which you cannot change. One of these factors is age where your risk of developing diabetes increases as you get older. Family history is also important as having a close relative (parent, sibling, or child) with diabetes makes you up to six times more likely to develop the condition yourself [Diabetes UK, diabetes.org.uk].
Weight is a modifiable but critical risk factor. Being overweight or obese increases your risk because excess fat, especially around the abdomen can make it harder for your body to manage blood sugar levels. Even people with a healthy weight but excess fat around the liver and pancreas may be at higher risk.
Lifestyle and Dietary Habits
Your lifestyle choices play a crucial role in your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle, spending long periods sitting or being inactive is linked to higher risk, even if you meet weekly exercise recommendations. Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking for at least 2.5 hours per week, can help reduce your risk.
Diet is equally important. Diets high in processed foods, sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates (like white bread and rice), and red or processed meats are associated with increased risk. Conversely, a healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses can help lower your risk and support weight management.
Other modifiable factors include:
- Limiting alcohol intake to no more than 14 units per week, spread over several days
- Not smoking, as diabetes increases the harmful effects of tobacco
- Ensuring good sleep, as both insufficient and excessive sleep can increase risk
How We Can Help
We offer a comprehensive online dietetic service designed to help individuals reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Whether you have been diagnosed as prediabetic or are simply looking to reduce your risk of developing diabetes, our personalised guidance and support is provided by a registered dietitian. No GP referral is needed to use our service although you must meet our eligibility criteria to receive our services (see below).
For personalised professional advice and support, we offer an online dietetic assessment reviewed by a registered dietitian. For more information on this, please see our home page to get started.
Useful information
More information on Diabetes – Diabetes UK: What is diabetes? | Getting to know the basics | Diabetes UK
Diabetes Symptoms – Diabetes UK: Symptoms of diabetes | Type 1 and Type 2 | Diabetes UK