A new survey has found that one in five people in Wales, who have never been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, have made positive changes to their behaviour in the past year to cut their risk of developing the condition.

According to the latest Time to Talk Public Health survey by Public Health Wales, most people in Wales understand that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable, with 45 per cent saying it is very preventable and a further 42 per cent saying it is somewhat preventable.

However, the survey also highlighted that while most people (86 per cent) are aware that being overweight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, many were not aware of other significant risk factors. This was highlighted by only:
• 32 per cent of people being aware that having gestational diabetes during pregnancy increases risk
• 37 per cent recognising that being of South Asian, Black Caribbean or Black African ethnicity increases risk
• 42 per cent knowing that a history of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke increases risk

Taking action to understand personal level of risk of developing type 2 diabetes is a critical first step. The survey found that 75 per cent of people in Wales are interested in using an online tool to learn how at risk they are (33 per cent very interested; 42% fairly interested).