2.5 million people in the UK have diabetes, with people of South Asian origin more likely to get it earlier and have more complications. Making lifestyle changes can help to reduce the risk of getting diabetes.
Reducing
Diabetes
Risk
Study aims
This study aims to generate informed perspectives on potential approaches to lifestyle change for diabetes prevention by exploring the views, beliefs and experiences of South Asian individuals and families, and relevant health professionals and other stakeholders. The findings will be used to guide the development of an intervention to reduce diabetes risk in South Asians. The feasibility and acceptability of this, and how it might be tested for effectiveness, will then be explored in a further study.
Why is the project necessary?
Diabetes is a common lifelong health condition. There are 2.5 million people in the UK with diabetes. Diabetes happens when the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. People of South Asian origin are more likely to get diabetes earlier and have more complications from the condition than other people in the UK. People are at more risk of developing diabetes if they are overweight, or have a family member with diabetes, or have had diabetes when they were pregnant.
Making changes to your lifestyle can help to reduce the risk of getting diabetes. Two of the best ways of doing this are to eat a good diet and keep active, but this can be difficult. We are doing this research to find ways to encourage people of South Asian origin to live healthy lifestyles. We think this may help to reduce diabetes risk.
Also, reducing diabetes risk in people of South Asian origin is a strategic aim of local PCTs.