Type 2 diabetes develops when the body cannot use insulin effectively, often linked to excess weight and inactivity. The strongest evidence-based prevention is lifestyle: losing a modest amount of weight if you carry extra, being active most days, and eating more vegetables, whole grains, and fibre while cutting back on sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods.
Screening matters because prediabetes is common and silent. If you are over 40, overweight, have a family history, had gestational diabetes, or belong to a higher-risk ethnic group, ask about a blood sugar test. Catching prediabetes early gives you the best chance to reverse the trend.
Structured diabetes-prevention programmes that combine diet, exercise, and support have been shown to cut the risk significantly. For some people at very high risk, a clinician may discuss medication, but lifestyle change remains first-line. Speak to a doctor about a plan suited to you rather than self-prescribing.