Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes a person to experience high or low blood sugar levels. There are two types of diabetes, known as type 1 and type 2, with the latter being far more common. Approximately 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.
The condition affects nearly three million people in the UK, with an estimated one million more undiagnosed. Many people are diagnosed up to 10 years after experiencing initial symptoms, so knowing the risk factors for type 2 diabetes is essential.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, experts warn that by 2040 over 640 million of us will be living with the condition. The infographic below shows the leading facts about diabetes.
