Diabetes prevention

What is diabetes and how can we prevent it?

Diabetes is a long-term condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease and cannot be prevented.  

In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells don't react to insulin. This leads to raised blood sugar levels that can lead to serious complications including stroke, heart and kidney disease, and amputations, if not well managed. 

There's lots of help and advice to help you reduce your risk of diabetes. And we can all reduce our risk of developing type 2 diabetes through maintaining a healthy weight, being active and eating a healthy diet.

Celebrating diabetes week in Barnet

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For some people, making healthy behaviour changes to your diet, weight and physical activity can significantly reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Barnet Public Health lead & support a range of diabetes prevention…

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The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme story

Find out how the service can help those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes to make healthy behaviour changes and reduce their risk.

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Know Your Risk of type 2 diabetes

Take the Know Your Risk tool from Diabetes UK to see if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Check your risk
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Reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes

Get tips and advice to help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Reduce your risk
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NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

The programme is a free 9-month service for people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

National Diabetes Prevention Programme
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Move more

Opportunities to get moving in Barnet, for all ages and abilities.

Move more
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Drink less

Drinking alcohol to excess can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. If you're worried you're drinking too much, get support to help you cut down.

Drink less
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Eat well - Go Bean!

We're championing the humble bean in Barnet to improve our health, lighten the load on our pockets and reduce our carbon footprints. Check out the facts, tasty recipes, and more about beans.

Go bean