Individuals at Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

People belonging to the following groups should talk to their general practitioner about the possibility of testing for type 2 diabetes and about lifestyle changes that can help to prevent the development of diabetes:

• Obesity, especially abdominal obesity

• First-degree relative with type 2 diabetes

• Past history of gestational diabetes or having a baby born weighing over 9 pounds

• Past impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Inactive lifestyle

• High-risk ethnic group (South Asian, native Australians, West Africans)

• Recurrent infections

• Having a disease that predisposes the person to diabetes (Cushing’s syndrome or acromegaly, for example)

• Taking medication that predisposes the person to diabetes

• Microalbuminuria

• Low birth weight

• Old age