Diabetes Week 2025 runs from the 9th – 15th June, and offers an important opportunity to raise awareness of the condition. Diabetes affects millions of people in the UK, and can have a big impact on a persons physical and mental health. Keep reading to learn more about diabetes, associated risk factors, and the support available to those who have been diagnosed.
Most of us have heard of diabetes, but what actually is it?
Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) is a group of complex conditions in which you have too much glucose (commonly referred to as sugar) in your blood. There is a lot of misinformation about glucose and ‘spikes’ in your blood being bad, but it is normal for it to rise and fall throughout the day as you eat. In fact, it provides your body with vital energy. In response, a hormone called Insulin is released from your pancreas, and regulates blood glucose by allowing it to enter cells in your body. There are a number of reasons why this may not work effectively, potentially leading to a diagnosis of diabetes.
In this blog we will focus on Type 2 Diabetes, as this accounts for 90% of cases in the UK. Currently, 12.1 million people are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, pre-diabetes, or are at risk of developing the condition. Diabetes UK have lots of great information about Type 1 Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes on their website.
What can I do to reduce my risk?
There is a common misconception that diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar. But it’s a bit more complicated than that, and whilst nutrition is important, it is only one part of the picture.
There are some hereditary factors which increase your risk:
- Risk increases with age; however, we are seeing a rise in Type 2 diabetes at a younger age.
- Close family history, e.g., a parent or sibling with the condition.
- Ethnicity – people from African Caribbean; Black African or South Asian backgrounds are at higher risk.
But there are also many lifestyle factors, which you may be able to influence:
Weight Management
For those who are overweight or obese, weight loss can prevent the onset of diabetes, and can support diabetes management for those who have been diagnosed.
Research has shown that even losing 5% of your body weight can be beneficial. This is because you lose visceral (internal fat) before sub-cutaneious fat (visible fat), and the build-up of fat in your liver and pancreas can increase your risk.
Nutrition
No foods in isolation cause diabetes, but following a healthy diet (including the below) can certainly help to reduce your risk, and to manage the condition.
- Eat regular balanced meals containing carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
- Aim to get your 5 a day.
- Aim to consume 30g fibre per day.
- Limit highly processed foods.
Keep an eye out for our other June blog, which is all about healthy eating habits at work. Diabetes UK also has a lot of support on nutrition for diabetes.
Movement
Physical activity is beneficial for reducing the risk of diabetes, management of diabetes, and overall health. Regular movement can help to control blood glucose levels, increase the efficiency of insulin, and support weight goals. Although there isn’t one individual exercise that is best, you should aim for some cardiovascular and resistance training each week, as well as breaking up long periods of sitting down.
Check out our April blog on staying active for more tips.
If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, you may be eligible for the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. You can read more about this here.
Living with diabetes
There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to the management of all types of diabetes. But Diabetes UK has some fantastic information and resources for living with diabetes. They also offer local community support and have a helpline. Depending on eligibility, you may be able to access the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme – speak to your GP to see if this is an option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, diabetes is a complex condition which can have a profound impact on wellbeing in and out of the workplace. If you would like to support your employees further, We Are Wellbeing has an expert run Understanding Diabetes webinar.
We also provide workplace health checks, which look at some of the above risk factors, including BMI, waist to hip ratio, and blood glucose testing. Get in touch to find out more.
