1. The most important risk factors of type 2 diabe-
tes are abdominal obesity and a sedentary life-
style. Dietary factors such as intake of refined
grain cereals, red and processed meat, sugar
sweetened beverages and heavy alcohol con-
sumption may increase the risk of developing
type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle emphasis on moderate weight reduc-
tion, moderate fat intake and increase in whole
grain, fruits and vegetable consumption while
taking into account portion sizes is the best pre-
vention and management practices.
Hypo-glycaemia
Hyper-glycaemia
Our food should be our medicine and our
medicine should be our food
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Parameters for good control
Fasting Blood Glucose 3.5 - 5 mmoL/l
1 hour after meal 6.0 - 9 mmoL/l
2 hour after meal 7.0 - 10 mmoL/l
3 hour after meal 6.0 - 9 mmoL/l
4 hour after meal 4.5 - 8 mmoL/l

2. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of
diabetes that develops as a result of interaction
between genes and lifestyle such that the predis-
posed individual becomes insulin resistant. The
pancreas fails to produce adequate insulin or the
body cells fails to utilize insulin.
Greater than 90% of all adult diabetes cases are
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is frequently undiagnosed for
many years because hyperglycemia develops
gradually thus making the symptoms go unno-
ticed
Risk Factors/Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
1. Modifiable Risk Factors
 Overweight (obesity)
 Sedentary lifestyle
 Metabolic syndrome
Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
 Eye complications (retinopathy, cataracts)
 Heart and blood vessels, kidneys, nervous
system complications
 Foot complications leading to amputations
 Skin infections and disorders
 Hearing problems
 Gum disease
 Mental disorders (depression, anxiety)
Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Dietary Modification
 Increase intake of complex carbohydrates
i.e. whole grains & cereals (brown bread)
 Minimize intake of refined sugars e.g. cakes
 Take small frequent meals to maintain con-
stant blood sugar levels
 Regulate portion
sizes
 Take more of
fibre-rich foods
i.e. fruits & vege-
tables
 Reduce salt intake
 Avoid alcohol
 Frequent physical
activity
Treatment focuses more on diet and exercise but if
sugars are still high, oral medications are used
and when necessary insulin injections.
Self monitoring of blood glucose enables a diabet-
ic person to adjust the treatment regimen to ob-
 Smoking
 Previously identified glucose tolerance
2. Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
 Ethnicity (African-American, Native American,
Asian-American or Pacific Islander)
 Family history
 Age
 Gender
 History of gestational diabetes
 Inflammation
 Polycystic ovary syndrome
Diabetes Symptoms
 Frequent urination
 Excessive thirst and hunger
 Unexplained weight loss
 Increased fatigue/tiredness
 Irritability
 Blurry vision
 Impotence
 Numbness or tingling sensation of the feet
 Slow-healing cuts and bruises