People at risk of type 2 diabetes should be given weight loss tips by NHS

More than a million people at high risk of type 2 diabetes should be given intensive exercise and weight loss help by the NHS, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says.

In updated guidance, NICE has recommended that healthcare professionals refer people with elevated blood sugars to exercise classes and nutrition courses.

NICE has identified 1.7 million people as having the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Evidence suggests that people with high fasting glucose, and therefore a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, can avoid getting diabetes by changing their lifestyle.

NICE is calling for these people to be offered appropriate support and advice.

Lifestyle change programmes aim to help people change their diet and increase their physical activity.

NICE says people with very high fasting glucose should be given priority when allocating places on intensive lifestyle change programmes.

Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at NICE, said: “We know that helping someone to make simple changes to their diet and exercise levels can significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. And that this approach is a cost-effective way of managing an illness that currently costs the NHS around £8.8 billion a year.

“We need to make sure that the people most at risk have access to the care they need. This is why this updated guidance from NICE is so important, it will help NHS England and Public Health England to prioritise when necessary.”