Types of Diabetes

There are three main types of diabetes and a pre-diabetic condition:

1. Type 1 (insulin-dependent or juvenile-onset diabetes) - is the most serious but least common form and mostly occurs in normal weight children and young adults. People with type 1 diabetes cannot make the hormone insulin due to a damaged pancreas and require daily insulin injections to stay alive.

2. Type 2 (non-insulin dependent or adult-onset diabetes) - is the most common form and usually develops in overweight people after the age of 40 due to the body not responding to insulin properly. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is increased by being overweight and inactive, having a family history of diabetes, and eating too much fat and refined carbohydrates. Treatment revolves around healthy eating, weight control and physical activity.

3. Gestational - is a temporary form of diabetes that develops in some women during pregnancy because certain hormones stop insulin from working properly. It usually disappears once the pregnancy is over, but if left untreated can result in a difficult delivery and health problems in the infant. It is usually detected during a routine blood test at 24-28 weeks, and is generally treated with healthy eating alone. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, but this can be reduced with a healthy lifestyle.

4. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) - is a pre-diabetic condition where blood glucose is higher than normal but not in the diabetic range. IGT increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes but this can be prevented with a healthy diet and regular exercise, both of which are more effective than medication. As little as 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, coupled with some weight loss, will improve your health.

Taken from Healthy Food For Life
Info by Dr Susanna Holt (PhD, dietician)