11.9 million people in the UK – one in four adults – are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to having overweight or obesity. Research tells us that a significant proportion of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented by eating healthily and being active. This is why we're working hard to ensure that individuals know their risk of developing the condition, have the opportunity to take action to reduce their risk, and live in an environment that supports healthier living.
The following resources provide essential reading on the research underlying policy options which can be enacted by the government to tackle the nation’s obesity crisis. Good practice examples from local areas that are delivering projects to prevent type 2 diabetes are also provided.
Essential reading
Healthy weight, healthy futures: local government action to tackle childhood obesity, Local Government Association website (March 2016)
This report brings together case studies from across England. From working with children who have obesity and overweight to encouraging children to cut their consumption of sugary drinks, local authorities are showing how child obesity can be tackled.Childhood obesity: brave and bold action, House of Commons Health Committee, Parliament website (November 2015)
This report addresses the scale and consequences of childhood obesity and makes recommendations, with a strong focus on changing the food environment, to help reduce this urgent health problem.Sugar reduction: from evidence into action, Public Health England, GOV.UK website (October 2015)
This report presents the findings from an assessment of evidence-based interventions to reduce sugar consumption. It draws conclusions about what drives our consumption and advises on actions that could be implemented to change our sugar intakes.Overcoming obesity: an initial economic analysis, McKinsey Global Institute, McKinsey & Company website (November 2014)
This paper offers an independent view on the components of a potential strategy for overcoming obesity. Evidence indicates that no single intervention is likely to have a significant overall impact. A systemic, sustained portfolio of initiatives, delivered at scale, is needed to reverse the health burden.
Shared practice examples
Improving the detection and prevention of type 2 diabetes in Bradford, Right Care website (August 2015)
This casebook presents the campaign used in Bradford to improve the detection and prevention of type 2 diabetes. The campaign included supporting people who were at high risk to access an intensive lifestyle change programme (ICLP) and increasing the uptake of the nine care processes for those who have diabetes. Findings have shown a significant decrease in average HbA1c measurement between baseline and post ILCP, with some patients moving from high to low risk.Improving quality: the impact of formal impaired glucose regulation reviews in the primary care setting, Diabetes and Primary Care website (2015) (free, login required)
This article presents the findings of a study in Manchester to quantify the impact of formal consultations giving lifestyle advice and intervention in improving outcomes for people with impaired glucose regulation (IGR). Findings suggest that reviews of the IGR population appear to trigger positive lifestyle changes in the majority of the population, reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Preventing diabetes project, NHS Newbury CCG, NHS Learning Environment website (2014)
This case study describes how NHS Newbury CCG worked in partnership with Nottingham University and the local public health team to develop a programme to encourage people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes to take preventative action. This involved the use of QDiabetes, an online risk calculator. Download the latest resources from the project, including an invitation letter for practices, step by step guidance for running searches in EMIS Web and a patient questionnaire.
