Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common
chronic diseases in Australia, with rates
increasing at approximately 13% per annum
since 2000.1 Rates of type 2 diabetes have
increased in parallel with increased rates of
overweight and obesity in Australia.5 Type 2
diabetes is most common in those aged 45
years or over, and reaches peak prevalence in
the 60–64 years age group. However due to
increased rates of childhood obesity, children
and adolescents are now being diagnosed.1
Type 2 diabetes is primarily a metabolic disease
characterised by insulin resistance and relative
insulin deficiency and is strongly associated
with obesity in genetically susceptible
individuals. Management includes MNT, regular
physical activity and/or oral hypoglycaemic
agents with the aim to increase insulin
sensitivity and/or increase insulin secretion,
although eventually many people also require
exogenous insulin.