There are currently two million people in England at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and is a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.

Do you, or someone in your family have any of the risk factors below? Check your own risk now.

Type 2 risk factors

	Age: If you’re over 40 and white, or over 25 and African-Caribbean, Black-African, Arab, Chinese, or South Asian
	Family history of diabetes: You’re two to six times more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother, sister, or child with diabetes
	Weight: You’re more at risk of type 2 diabetes if you’re living with obesity or overweight
	Waist measurement: Your risk is also increased if you have a high waist measurement
	Blood pressure: If you've ever had high blood pressure this increases your risk
	Ethnicity: Type 2 diabetes is two to four times more likely in people of South Asian descent and African-Caribbean or Black African descent
	Sex: Type 2 diabetes is slightly more common in men than in women

Other factors that can also increase your risk:

• Smoking: Smoking is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, and also increases the risk of other health conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
• Gestational diabetes: having been diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) increases your risk of later developing type 2 diabetes around 10-fold.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and therefore higher levels of insulin circulating in the blood.
• Mental health conditions: History of schizophrenia, bipolar illness, or depression, or if you are receiving treatment with anti-psychotic medication.
• Sedentary lifestyle: If you spend long periods of time sitting this can increase your risk of type 2.
• Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Sleep: If you have disturbed sleep for long periods this can be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.