Type 2 Diabetes
Reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes by being active every day and enjoying a diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition where the body has become resistant or insensitive to the hormone insulin, and levels of glucose in the bloodstream are chronically high. Type 2 Diabetes is a preventable disease and can be managed in the early stages through diet and physical activity. People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of a range of health issues; however these risks can be significantly reduced through diet and lifestyle changes to help manage blood glucose levels.
Complications associated with Type 2 Diabetes include:
- Kidney failure
- Blindness
- Diabetes neuropathies
- Sexual dysfunction
- Coronary heart disease
- including stroke and
- heart attack
Who is at risk? 
The following factors increase your risk of type 2 diabetes:
- Family history of diabetes
- Being 55 years old or older
- Having an Aboriginal, Torre Strait Islander, Pacific Islander, Indian Subcontinent or Chinese ethnic background
- Having previously had gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Being overweight or obese
- Insufficient physical activity
- A large waist circumference
- Poor diet
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
- Excessive thirst
- Passing more urine
- Feeling tired and lethargic
- Poor wound healing
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Gradual weight increase
- Skin infections
- Always feeling hungry
Tips to prevent Type 2 Diabetes
- Enjoy a healthy, balanced diet including a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins
- Be active every day and limit sedentary behaviour
- Reduce your intake of sugary and high fat foods
- Cut back processed and takeaway foods
- Maintain a healthy weight and waist circumference
- Quit smoking
- Manage cholesterol levels
- Manage blood pressure
- Have regular check-ups with your doctor
For more information on type 2 diabetes visit the Diabetes Australia website.
