Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (long-term) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone released by the pancreas) or respond well enough to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. There are approximately 1 million people with type 2 diabetes currently. This figure is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, circulation problems, lower limb amputations, nerve damage and damage to the kidneys and eyes.

Risk factors

    Many Australians, particularly those over 40, are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and poor nutrition. Family history of diabetes and genetics also play a role in type 2 diabetes.

What can you do to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes?           

    Your lifestyle choices can prevent, or at least delay, the onset of type 2 diabetes. You cannot change risk factors like age and your genetic background. You can do something about being overweight, your waist measurement, how active you are, eating habits, or smoking. If there is type 2 diabetes in your family, you should be careful not to put on weight. Reducing your waist measurement reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes. By increasing your physical activity and improving your eating habits you can lower your risk. Eat plenty of vegetables and high fibre cereal products every day and use a small amount of fats and oils. Monounsaturated oils, such as olive or canola oil, are the best choice. You can have type 2 diabetes and not know it because there may be no obvious symptoms.

The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK)

The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool was developed by the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute on behalf of the Australian, State and Territory Governments as part of the COAG initiative to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

You can download the Risk Assessment Tool here

Read the instructions and results carefully.

If you score 6 - 14 points in the AUSDRISK you may at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Discuss your score and your individual risk with your doctor. Improving your lifestyle may help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

If you scored 15 points or more in the AUSDRISK you may have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes or be at high risk of developing the disease. See your doctor about having a fasting blood glucose test. Act now to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), along with Sports Medicine Australia and Diabetes Australia (DA) have recently released an excellent fact sheet on exercise and diabetes. You can access this here.

Diabetes and Exercise Fact Sheet

To learn more about how exercise may assist you in prevention or management of diabetes contact Rob  Stanton at Integrated Physical Performance on 0418 720 488