It’s EveryWoman Day today, a reminder that you, as a woman, need to take care of yourself. It comes naturally to so many women to nurture their families and loved ones, but you might find your health and wellbeing at the bottom of the priority list – being too exhausted at the end of a busy day to exercise or cook yourself a healthy meal. But if you’re at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, your health must become a priority.

Watch your weight

Shedding pounds, particularly around your waistline, can drastically reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. For women, if your waist is more than 31.5inches (80cm) it’s time to start thinking about slimming down.

Eating healthier foods which are lower in sugar, salt and saturated fat will all help to keep your weight lower. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, lean meat and nutritious snacks can all be part of a balanced diet. Portion control also plays a big part – avoid piling up your plate with food.

Get active

Keeping active is a key factor in reducing your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This doesn’t mean running a marathon - just 30 minutes of physical activity three or four days each week is enough to help. The activities can be anything that gets your heart rate up, from cleaning windows to a brisk walk.

Just for women

If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or had gestational diabetes during pregnancy then you need to take even more care of yourself. In fact, women with PCOS are up to 40% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than women without the condition, while gestational diabetes in pregnancy increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes seven-fold.

It is very important to understand your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Our simple online health check takes just a few minutes. The Healthier You programme is free to join and you can sign up without visiting your GP. The sessions are now available with a British Sign Language Interpreter if BSL is your first or preferred language.

Use our online checker to find out if you’re at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes: https://www.stopdiabetes.co.uk/know-your-risk