40 per cent of the children or siblings of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes will eventually develop diabetes unless they take steps to prevent it.

People in some ethnic groups have two to three times the risk of developing diabetes compared to all people.

More than 40 percent of people with diabetes have abnormal blood fat levels. This increases their risk of heart disease by up to four times that of the general population.

The longer you are overweight and the more overweight you are, the greater your risk for diabetes.

60 percent of people with undiagnosed diabetes have high blood pressure.

35 to 60 percent of women who develop diabetes during pregnancy or have a baby over nine pounds go on to develop Type 2 diabetes.

People who exercise three to four times a week can reduce their risk of diabetes up to 42 per cent.

DIABETES COMPLICATIONS

Heart and circulation

Blood vessel walls can thicken and clog. This pinches off blood flow and can lead to heart disease and stroke.

People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease and two to six times more likely to suffer a stroke.

Poor circulation slows healing and weakens the body's ability to fight infection.

Danger signs of blood flow problems include chest pain and pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, sudden loss of sight, slurred speech, numbness or weakness on one side of the body and leg cramps.

Nerves

Nerve damage can create burning, aching, tingling or loss of feeling in fingers, toes, feet and lower legs.

Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic foot and leg amputations.

Nerve damage in your bladder, bowels and genitalia can result in chronic diarrhoea, loss of bladder control and impotence.

Eyes

People with diabetes are two to three times more likely than the general population to develop cataracts (clouding of the lens) and glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).

Other vision problems include blurring, trouble reading, rings around lights, dark spots or flashing lights.

Kidneys

Ten percent of all people with diabetes develop kidney disease.

Recurring urinary-tract infections in people with diabetes can also cause damage to the kidneys.

If the kidneys stop functioning, dialysis or a transplant is imperative.