Lifestyle change could reduce type 2 by 80 per cent

Type 2 diabetes could be slashed by 80 per cent if more was done to encourage people with “pre-diabetes” diagnoses to change their lifestyles, according to new research.

A team from the University of Huddersfield believe the key to lowering diabetes numbers is to open more diagnoses and special clinics for those at risk.

Dr Warren Gillibrand, a senior lecturer in the University’s division of podiatry and clinical science, said: “Intervention needs to ensure that it is provided at an appropriate level to account for cultural, social and gender needs.

‘Potential complications’ 

“Innovative approaches need to be considered to reduce the number of people who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes and its associated potential complications.

“People identified as being at high risk are mainly referred to the clinics by a GP, based on a number of different factors, such as lifestyle, weight, smoking history and biochemical markers.”

A range of interventions have been introduced and developed, but they are mainly centered around patient education.

Dr Gillibrand added: “The arguments in the article are that education alone in its purest form probably isn’t that effective.

“There is a need for other mediators – for example behaviour interventions or talking-based psychological therapies in order to initiate lifestyle change.”

Dr Gillibrand and his team are now looking to secure further funding to launch a larger-scale evaluation of pre-diabetes clinics and the different models of educational programmes.

There are also regional factors to be examined, with some areas more likely to have pockets of the population at risk of developing diabetes.

He said: “The ideal output would be to make the case for pre-diabetes clinics and to support the argument that Department of Health need to provide greater levels of funding. After all, the prevention of type two diabetes is a national priority.”