Over 800 million adults worldwide are now living with type 2 diabetes - more than four times the number in 1990.
While that rise is striking, there’s also encouraging news: with the right support and early action, type 2 diabetes can be delayed, and in some cases even brought into remission.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin, or doesn’t produce enough of it, leading to elevated blood sugar levels over time.
This differs from type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition in which the body stops producing insulin altogether. The key distinction is that type 2 often develops gradually, which means there’s a valuable window of opportunity to act before a diagnosis is made.
Managing type 2 diabetes often comes with long-term considerations and requires paying closer attention to your diet and lifestyle. To prevent or postpone a diagnosis, it’s important to make proactive changes early.
In this article, we’ll explore why type 2 diabetes is becoming more common, the lesser-known risk factors that may contribute to it, and most importantly, the steps you can take to reduce your risk.
We’ll also hear from Dr Ahmed Mounir, Clinical Specialist Advisor, Bupa Egypt Services, who shares insight on early warning signs and how to take practical action to protect your long-term health.
What causes type 2 diabetes?
Globally, healthcare providers are seeing more people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This trend emerged in our most recent 2025 Bupa Global Healthcare Insights Report and is especially prominent amongst those under 40.
Prediabetes - where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet in the category for type 2 diabetes - has also seen a rise among teenagers, with around one in three 12- to 17-year-olds in the US found to have the condition.
There are several reasons why someone might develop type 2 diabetes; obesity, for instance, can lead to excess fatty tissue around the liver and abdomen, causing inflammation that impedes the body’s ability to metabolise and regulate blood sugar.
Other lifestyle factors can also play a role, such as a diet high in saturated fats, refined sugars and processed foods causing chronic blood sugar spikes that can lead to insulin resistance.
However, this is only part of the story.
As Dr Mounir explains, “type 2 diabetes is not always just about diet or lifestyle. Several hormonal conditions raise the risk considerably, all working through the same underlying problem: insulin resistance.”
A number of lesser-known hormonal factors can increase the likelihood of developing this resistance, including:
- Certain medications, like corticosteroids, can make the liver resistant to insulin when used long-term, raising blood sugar levels and potentially leading to steroid-induced diabetes
- Hormonal disorders like an underactive thyroid and Cushing’s syndrome can affect insulin levels and either raise or lower blood sugar levels
- Chronic stress (high cortisol levels) causing blood sugar spikes that can lead to diabetes
For people living and working internationally, disrupted routines, travel fatigue, inconsistent sleep and heightened stress can all influence hormonal balance, often without you realising.
That’s why taking steps to look after your hormonal health can play an important role in reducing your longer-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
What symptoms of type 2 diabetes should I look out for?
Because the signs of type 2 diabetes can often go unnoticed, being proactive is important for helping to prevent or postpone a diagnosis.
“Type 2 diabetes often develops quietly over years, and some of its earliest signals can be mistaken for something else entirely,” Dr Mounir explains, noting that some of these early warning signs may include:
- Post-meal energy crashes
- Darkened, velvety patches of skin on the neck or underarms
- Recurring thrush or urinary tract infections
- Slow wound healing
- Tingling or numbness in the feet
- Intermittent blurred vision
- Persistent gum disease
These symptoms can appear long before a formal diagnosis is made, which is why early action can be so valuable.
Why is proactivity important for preventing type 2 diabetes?
Being proactive not only helps you understand and potentially reduce your risk, but also means that if a diagnosis does occur, it can be identified sooner.
This gives you more time to manage symptoms and help prevent the condition from progressing.
There are also practical tools you can use to better understand and manage risks.
Dr Mounir advises online diabetes risk assessment tests like FINDRISC or the ADA Test. They take just minutes to complete online and can prompt you to seek blood testing if your score is high.
Accessing a regular health assessment can also support you to take control of your health and wellbeing. It can provide insight into your current health status and help to spot early signs or risk of type 2 diabetes.
Wearable health technology can also provide regular, meaningful insight to encourage exercise, a healthy diet and consistent sleeping patterns - all of which contribute to better overall health, and therefore a reduced risk of diagnosis.
For instance, a small study in 2025 found that smartwatch-based coaching made people ten times more likely to start a regular exercise routine.
Dr Mounir adds: “Sleep trackers add another useful layer, since a large 2024 study showed that irregular sleep patterns raise type 2 diabetes risk regardless of how many hours you sleep.”
What can I do to reduce the risk of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis?
Small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a measurable difference when it comes to looking after your metabolic health and preventing or postponing a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Some practical steps you can take today include:
- Move regularly
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, avoiding sitting for extended periods where possible. - Focus on balanced nutrition
Eating a varied, nutrient-rich diet that supports stable energy levels can help reduce insulin resistance over time. - Prioritise consistent sleep
Maintaining regular sleep patterns supports hormonal balance and may lower diabetes risk. - Stay on top of health checks
Regular health assessments can detect changes early and open the door to supportive interventions before the condition progresses. For those already living with type 2 diabetes, health checks are also important to track symptoms and adjust any ongoing treatments or lifestyle plans.
For Bupa Global customers, you may have access to a health assessment which can give you a helpful overview of your current health status. Visit MembersWorld to check the benefits available on your health plan, and to explore Blua digital health services including virtual appointments with a doctor.
How can I take the first step towards preventing type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common worldwide, but it’s not always inevitable.
By understanding your personal risk factors - including those beyond diet and weight - and taking proactive steps to monitor your health, you can make informed choices that support long-term wellbeing.
Regular health assessments and proactive lifestyle changes can play an important role in identifying changes early and connecting you with the right support at the right time, helping you stay one step ahead, wherever life takes you.
