Whilst other types of diabetes cannot be prevented, you can make lifestyle changes that will help lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Isabelle Hooley, Lead Diabetes Specialist Dietician, Dorset County Hospital<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Some factors that may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes are:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Age \u2013 the older you are, the more at risk you are. People from certain ethnic groups are at risk from a younger age<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Family history \u2013 y<\/span>ou are<\/span> more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother, <\/span>sister<\/span> or child with diabetes<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Ethnicity \u2013 you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you\u2019re South Asian (over 25), African-Caribbean, Black African, and also have a parent, child or sibling who has diabetes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Weight \u2013 y<\/span>ou are<\/span>\u00a0more at risk if <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> overweight, particularly if you have a larger mid-section<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Blood pressure \u2013 y<\/span>ou are <\/span>more at risk if <\/span>you have had high blood pressure<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>