Whilst other types of diabetes cannot be prevented, you can make lifestyle changes that will help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

There are currently two million people in England at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In Dorset, over 55,000 people were recorded as having prediabetes as of August 2024. The actual number could be higher, as some people may not have been identified.

Isabelle Hooley, Lead Diabetes Specialist Dietician, Dorset County Hospital

Some factors that may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes are: 

  • Age – the older you are, the more at risk you are. People from certain ethnic groups are at risk from a younger age

  • Family history – you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother, sister or child with diabetes 

  • Ethnicity – you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you’re South Asian (over 25), African-Caribbean, Black African, and also have a parent, child or sibling who has diabetes

  • Weight – you are more at risk if you’re overweight, particularly if you have a larger mid-section

  • Blood pressure – you are more at risk if you have had high blood pressure

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week – 25 – 31 May 2026

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week is a national campaign that runs every May. An estimated 6.3 million people live with prediabetes, but many are not aware of this. If left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes, which can lead to serious health complications. You may also be at an increased risk of developing type 2 if you have had gestational diabetes. There’s a range of risk factors at play, including family history and ethnic background but finding out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes means you can take action to protect your health.