Diabetes can cause serious long-term health problems. It’s a leading cause of vision loss in people of working age. It’s also responsible for most cases of kidney failure and lower limb amputation, other than accidents. It’s important you find out if you are at high risk of Type 2 diabetes so you can get support to lower your risk. You may also be eligible to sign up for the free Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

Philip Collumbine joined the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP) at The Learning Centre in Sheffield. Philip, 72, explains: “My weight at the start of the course was 79.7kg and at the mid-point had reduced to 72.6kg. That equates to a 7.1kg weight change – a reduction of 9%. The weight-loss target that I had set myself earlier in the course was 5%, so achieving an actual r

eduction of 9% at this mid-way point is way beyond my expectations.

“An added benefit that I have recently discovered is that my high blood pressure condition has also moved downwards to a reading which now places this into the normal band.

“The Healthier You programme has provided me with key lifestyle benefits. There is now an impetus to get out on my bike more often, which I find very satisfying and it’s become a nice complement to the routine exercise I do at home.

“Also, as a matter of routine now, I check food labels for fat and sugar content. I am aware of meal portion control and also limiting snacks. It’s good to know that all of this is contributing to a healthier way of life.”

Philip thanks the coaches and dietitians who’ve supported his progress to a healthier lifestyle. “I would like to say a very big thank you to Alex in particular,” he adds. “The professional support and common sense approach in delivering the required strategies has certainly set me on the right path and is, I believe, moving me into a better place away from the pre-diabetic range.”

• You can find out if you’re at risk of developing the condition by using the Diabetes UK risk tool. Search ‘Know Your Risk’.