Who's at risk from diabetes?

It's predicted that over the next 10 years the number of people with diabetes will more than double.

There are two main aims concerning diabetes:

• To try to prevent people developing diabetes at all
• If someone does develop it, to help them avoid the possible complications

Diabetes risks

People with a family history of type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing the condition.

Things that put a person at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes include:

• Getting older
• Having close relatives with type 2 diabetes
• Being of Asian or African-Caribbean origin
• Being a woman who has given birth to a large baby
• Being overweight - waist circumference is particularly important: a waist size greater than 35in in women and 40in in men has recently been shown to significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease
• Being inactive

Reducing your risk of diabetes

Because of these last two factors, it's important to:

• Eat regularly during the day
• Eat foods that are low in fat and salt
• Eat lots of fruit, vegetables and pulses such as beans, lentils and peas
• Cut down on sugar and have reduced sugar foods and drinks

A healthy diet needs to be combined with regular activity or exercise to help the weight stay off, as well as gain better glucose control ('exercise' refers to anything that gets the heart rate up, making you slightly breathless or sweaty). Ideally, you should exercise for at least 30 minutes at least five times a week. Walking, cycling, dancing and swimming are fun and easy for most people to do.

In the past, people with diabetes weren't encouraged to take part in sporting activities. Nowadays, diabetes shouldn't hinder anyone's desire to keep fit.