Could diabetes affect you? Understanding your risk

By Chris Eldridge Dietitian and Diabetes Educator

5 minute read

Published 6 August 2026

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Could diabetes affect you? Understanding your risk and what you can do about it.

Have you ever wondered if diabetes could affect you?

Well, the signs and symptoms can vary depending on the type of diabetes that you may have.

In type 1, symptoms can come on quickly, meaning people are often diagnosed early.

But type 2 diabetes is different.

It often develops slowly and silently.

And that's the tricky part.

Many people don't realise they're at risk until their blood sugar levels have been high for years.

When most people think about diabetes, they think about high blood sugar levels.

But diabetes is actually a condition that affects how your body uses glucose, which is your body's main source of energy.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the cells in the pancreas, producing insulin.

Type 2 diabetes develops a little bit differently over time.

The body becomes resistant to insulin, meaning it doesn't work as effectively.

Eventually, the pancreas can struggle to keep up, causing blood sugar levels to rise.

But before type 2 diabetes develops, many people go through a stage called prediabetes.

Now, this means your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

I often describe it as an early warning sign.

It's your body's way of saying that changes may be needed.

And importantly, it's a chance to take action before type 2 diabetes develops.

Now, there are some risk factors you can't control. Things like your age, family history, genetics, and if you've had gestational diabetes in the past.

These can all play a role in whether you develop type 2 diabetes.

Your risk may also be higher if you carry excess weight around your waist and not physically active or have a higher blood pressure.

But the good news is that for many people, lifestyle changes can make a real difference.

Being active most days, eating more high fibre foods like vegetables, legumes and whole grains, getting enough sleep, managing stress and working towards a healthy weight can all help reduce that risk.

Even small changes can have a powerful impact on your health in the long run.

If you're worried about your risk, speak to your GP about having your blood glucose levels checked.

The earlier you know, the more opportunities you have to protect your health.

See you next time.

Key takeaways

Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually, sometimes without obvious symptoms.
Prediabetes is an early warning sign, not a personal failure or a guarantee you’ll develop type 2 diabetes.
There are risk factors you can’t change, but daily habits can still make a meaningful difference.

Could diabetes affect you?

Diabetes is not only about high blood sugar. It’s a condition that affects how your body uses glucose, one of its main sources of energy.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from the blood into your cells where it’s used for energy. When you have type 1 diabetes you cannot make enough insulin, so insulin treatment is needed.¹

Type 2 diabetes develops differently: the body becomes resistant to insulin, and over time, the pancreas may not produce enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range.¹

The tricky thing about type 2 diabetes is that it can develop slowly. Some people don’t realise their blood glucose levels have been higher than recommended until a routine blood test, a health check, or complications develop.

That is why understanding your risk matters, even if you feel well.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

It often has no obvious signs or symptoms, so it can be easy to miss. But prediabetes is worth paying attention to, because it can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.²

If you have prediabetes, it doesn’t mean type 2 diabetes is inevitable. It's an early signal that something may need attention, and a chance to take action before blood glucose levels rise further.

Risk factors you can and can’t change

Some risk factors are outside your control. These include age, family history, genetics, and a history of gestational diabetes.

Risk can also be influenced by everyday habits, such as smoking, not eating enough fruit and vegetables, or not exercising enough, as well as health factors that can develop over time, including high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels and being above a healthy weight.³

Your diabetes risk is rarely about one single factor. It’s usually a combination of genetics, body changes, health history, environment, access to support, and daily habits. Understanding your personal risk helps you and your GP decide whether you need testing, monitoring or prevention support.

Practical steps that may help reduce risk

For many people, lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or delay its progression.

This may include being active on most days, eating more high-fibre foods such as fruit and vegetables, legumes and wholegrains, improving sleep, managing stress and working towards a healthy weight where appropriate.²

Start small. A realistic first step might be walking after dinner a few nights a week, shown by researchers to help lower blood glucose levels4, swapping to a higher-fibre breakfast, adding a serve of vegetables at lunch, or booking a GP appointment to discuss your blood glucose results.

Small changes are easier to maintain, and consistency matters more than perfection.

Chris Eldridge Dietitian and Diabetes Educator

Chris is a Clinical and Sports Dietitian with a passion for promoting positive health and preventative care.

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Our health and wellbeing information is regularly reviewed and maintained by a team of healthcare experts, to ensure its relevancy and accuracy. Everyone's health journey is unique and health outcomes vary from person to person.

This content is not a replacement for personalised and specific medical, healthcare, or other professional advice. If you have concerns about your health, see your doctor or other health professional.