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Welcome to the Diabetes Risk Score

What is Type 2 diabetes

Many people are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes without realising it.

These people have all taken this test and you can find out about their stories as you go through the simple steps. Roll over their image to get an introduction!

142,653 people have worked out their Diabetes Risk Score
Developed by Diabetes UK, the University of Leicester and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Dilip Harikrishna Julia Priti Harry Alison Alan Deirdre Barry

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What does ‘other ethnic group’ mean
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What do we mean by a ‘close relative’
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Why is this important
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Use your fingers to feel for your bottom rib, and the top of your hip bone then measure around your body directly in between these two points.

Calculate your body mass index

What does ‘Body Mass Index’ mean
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Height
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Weight

What is high blood pressure
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(If you’re not sure, please select No)

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Human body

What is Type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is too high because your body can’t use it properly.

Glucose comes from digesting carbohydrates from various kinds of food and drink including starchy foods such as breads, potatoes and rice, fruit, some dairy products, sugar and other sweet foods. Your liver also produces glucose. Your pancreas produces insulin, which helps get the glucose into your body’s cells, where it is used for energy.

But in Type 2 diabetes, the amount of insulin produced is not enough or does not work properly and so glucose levels build up in your blood. Too much glucose in your blood can damage blood vessels, nerves and lead to blindness.

The main symptoms of diabetes include:

  • Passing urine frequently
  • Increased thirst
  • Extreme tiredness
  • (Sometimes) unexplained weight loss
  • Genital itching or recurrent episodes of thrush
  • Slow healing of wounds
  • Blurred vision

If you have any of these symptoms you should immediately see a doctor.

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Ethnicities

What does ‘other ethnic group’ mean?

If you are of any race in the list below, you need to answer "Other" to this question. If you are still unsure, you should also answer "Other". This is because if you are of any ethnic background your risk score will increase, and it is better to be cautious and answer "Other" now.

Priti, for example, has an Indian ethnic background, so she answered "Other".

  • Mixed
  • White and Black Caribbean
  • White and Black African
  • White and Asian
  • Any other Mixed background
  • Black
  • Caribbean
  • African
  • Any other Black background
  • Asian
  • Indian
  • Pakistani
  • Bangladeshi
  • Any other Asian background
  • Chinese or other ethnic group
  • Chinese
  • Irish Traveller
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Relative

What do we mean by a ‘close relative’?

In terms of how it affects your risk of Type 2 diabetes, a ‘close relative’ is defined as any of the following:

  • Parent
  • Brother
  • Sister
  • Child

If any of those have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you need to answer “Yes” to this question.

Dilip, for example, had grandparents who had Type 2 diabetes - but as grandparents are not on the list above, he was right to answer "No" to this question.

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People with measuring tape

Why is your waist circumference important?

Fat that is stored around your middle is a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Not only that, it’s also closely linked with health problems such as coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and some cancers.

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Height measurement

What is Body Mass Index?

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat in adults. It is measured by dividing your weight (in kilos) by your height (in metres) squared. Your BMI score gives you a good indication of what weight range you are in. These range from "Underweight" to "Morbidly Obese". The higher your weight range, the more points will be added to your diabetes Risk Score.

It is important to remember that the BMI measure can be inaccurate at times for people who have a lot of lean muscle such as rugby players or weight lifters. You can discuss your BMI with a member of your healthcare team if you think this might apply to you.

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Blood pressure

What is high blood pressure?

If your blood vessels are narrowed or clogged, extra strain is put on your heart as it has to work harder to pump blood round your body.

High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms, so the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have yours measured.

For most people, there will be no single cause for their high blood pressure. But we do know that your lifestyle can affect your risk of developing it. You are at a higher risk if:

  • you eat too much salt
  • you don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables
  • you are not active enough
  • you are overweight
  • you drink too much alcohol
  • you are a smoker

High blood pressure can lead to diabetes, heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.

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You are rated at low risk of diabetes.

This means you have a 1 in 200 chance of having diabetes now and a 1 in 20 chance that you could develop diabetes in the next 10 years.
Even though you have been identified as 'low risk', it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Watching what you eat and the amount of activity you do will help to reduce your risk of diabetes.
Get your full report by email.
Harry
Harry
Harry: "My risk score comes out at Low Risk, so my advice to someone like me is you’re obviously doing the right thing, not doing anything too stupid, like eating loads of junk food or smoking. Look after your body, it’s good at the moment, you don’t want to risk it! It does have really serious consequences on the way you can live your life."
Priti: “I am at Increased Risk. I would say look at what you’re eating. Look at what exercise your doing. If there’s anything you can do to live in a healthier lifestyle. It’s just not about Type 2 diabetes but to make you feel healthier yourself.”
Dilip: “My results came back as Increased Risk. Last Christmas I bought myself an exercise bike, which is still there and I haven’t used it much. A lot of people are like me; they have some information about obesity and diabetes but are probably not taking it that seriously because they are so busy. But that is an important thing to realise and make some changes early on so that 10-20 years from now, we don’t have Type 2 diabetes.”
Deirdre: “I am at Increased Risk so I need to eat better. And I’ve decided to do exercise that’s achievable. I couldn’t do a marathon tomorrow but I am doing lots of walking and building up to a 5k run.”
Barry: “We all want to live as long as we can and we want to be as fit for as long as we can. I’m very conscious I want to keep myself as fit and as active for as long as I can. I have to control what I eat and what I do. I despair sometimes when I see some of the food people eat at my age. They are eating themselves into the grave!”
Alan
Alan: “I’m at Moderate Risk. I would say go see your GP and get the blood test done, talk to a professional so they can advise you what best to do. We’re terrible at waiting until we have to do something about it. This is a condition you can’t back away from. It never gets better. So, step away from the edge.”
Hari
Harikrishna: “I am at High Risk. I know you can control it by lifestyle or by medication and then you can have a good life. I am going to see my GP very soon to have a test for diabetes”
Julia
Julia: “I am at High Risk but I have three friends who have diabetes already and they all wish they’d recognised the signs. That’s why I’m sticking to my new lifestyle plan. I am going to see my GP very soon to have a test for diabetes."
Alison
Alison: "I have diabetes and I would say it's really important you take action if you are at risk. If you can avoid the constant battle I'm fighting then do!"

Your risk score is the same as Harry

You are rated at increased risk of diabetes.

You have a 1 in 50 chance of having diabetes and a 1 in 10 chance that you could develop diabetes in the next 10 years.
Remember, as you get older your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes may increase further – especially if you have a family history of diabetes.
Take action now and look at what lifestyle changes you can make in order to reduce your risk. You may need to reduce your weight or waist measurement or increase your level of physical activity.
Get your full report by email.
Harry
Harry: "My risk score comes out at Low Risk, so my advice to someone like me is you’re obviously doing the right thing, not doing anything too stupid, like eating loads of junk food or smoking. Look after your body, it’s good at the moment, you don’t want to risk it! It does have really serious consequences on the way you can live your life."
Priti: “I am at Increased Risk. I would say look at what you’re eating. Look at what exercise your doing. If there’s anything you can do to live in a healthier lifestyle. It’s just not about Type 2 diabetes but to make you feel healthier yourself.”
Dilip: “My results came back as Increased Risk. Last Christmas I bought myself an exercise bike, which is still there and I haven’t used it much. A lot of people are like me; they have some information about obesity and diabetes but are probably not taking it that seriously because they are so busy. But that is an important thing to realise and make some changes early on so that 10-20 years from now, we don’t have Type 2 diabetes.”
Deirdre: “I am at Increased Risk so I need to eat better. And I’ve decided to do exercise that’s achievable. I couldn’t do a marathon tomorrow but I am doing lots of walking and building up to a 5k run.”
Barry: “We all want to live as long as we can and we want to be as fit for as long as we can. I’m very conscious I want to keep myself as fit and as active for as long as I can. I have to control what I eat and what I do. I despair sometimes when I see some of the food people eat at my age. They are eating themselves into the grave!”
Alan
Alan: “I’m at Moderate Risk. I would say go see your GP and get the blood test done, talk to a professional so they can advise you what best to do. We’re terrible at waiting until we have to do something about it. This is a condition you can’t back away from. It never gets better. So, step away from the edge.”
Hari
Harikrishna: “I am at High Risk. I know you can control it by lifestyle or by medication and then you can have a good life. I am going to see my GP very soon to have a test for diabetes”
Julia
Julia: “I am at High Risk but I have three friends who have diabetes already and they all wish they’d recognised the signs. That’s why I’m sticking to my new lifestyle plan. I am going to see my GP very soon to have a test for diabetes."
Alison
Alison: "I have diabetes and I would say it's really important you take action if you are at risk. If you can avoid the constant battle I'm fighting then do!"

Your risk score is the same as Priti, Dilip, Deirdre and Barry

You are rated at moderate risk of diabetes.

You have a 1 in 33 chance of having diabetes and a 1 in 7 chance that you could develop diabetes in the next 10 years.
You need to make an appointment to see your GP to discuss this risk.
To reduce your risk you should follow a healthy lifestyle by keeping active and eating a balanced diet. Take action to improve your lifestyle now!
Print a letter for your GP and get a full version of your report.
Alan
Harry
Harry: "My risk score comes out at Low Risk, so my advice to someone like me is you’re obviously doing the right thing, not doing anything too stupid, like eating loads of junk food or smoking. Look after your body, it’s good at the moment, you don’t want to risk it! It does have really serious consequences on the way you can live your life."
Priti: “I am at Increased Risk. I would say look at what you’re eating. Look at what exercise your doing. If there’s anything you can do to live in a healthier lifestyle. It’s just not about Type 2 diabetes but to make you feel healthier yourself.”
Dilip: “My results came back as Increased Risk. Last Christmas I bought myself an exercise bike, which is still there and I haven’t used it much. A lot of people are like me; they have some information about obesity and diabetes but are probably not taking it that seriously because they are so busy. But that is an important thing to realise and make some changes early on so that 10-20 years from now, we don’t have Type 2 diabetes.”
Deirdre: “I am at Increased Risk so I need to eat better. And I’ve decided to do exercise that’s achievable. I couldn’t do a marathon tomorrow but I am doing lots of walking and building up to a 5k run.”
Barry: “We all want to live as long as we can and we want to be as fit for as long as we can. I’m very conscious I want to keep myself as fit and as active for as long as I can. I have to control what I eat and what I do. I despair sometimes when I see some of the food people eat at my age. They are eating themselves into the grave!”
Alan
Alan: “I’m at Moderate Risk. I would say go see your GP and get the blood test done, talk to a professional so they can advise you what best to do. We’re terrible at waiting until we have to do something about it. This is a condition you can’t back away from. It never gets better. So, step away from the edge.”
Hari
Harikrishna: “I am at High Risk. I know you can control it by lifestyle or by medication and then you can have a good life. I am going to see my GP very soon to have a test for diabetes”
Julia
Julia: “I am at High Risk but I have three friends who have diabetes already and they all wish they’d recognised the signs. That’s why I’m sticking to my new lifestyle plan. I am going to see my GP very soon to have a test for diabetes."
Alison
Alison: "I have diabetes and I would say it's really important you take action if you are at risk. If you can avoid the constant battle I'm fighting then do!"

Your risk score is the same as Alan

You are rated at high risk of diabetes.

You have a 1 in 14 chance of having diabetes now and a 1 in 3 chance that you could develop diabetes in the next 10 years.
You need to make an appointment to visit your GP to discuss this risk
Your GP will support you and Diabetes UK is here to help as well. Our website and Careline can provide you with accurate information and reassurance.
To reduce this risk you should follow a healthy lifestyle by keeping active and eating a balanced diet. Take action to improve your lifestyle now!
Print a letter for your GP and get a full version of your report.
Hari
Julia
Harry
Harry: "My risk score comes out at Low Risk, so my advice to someone like me is you’re obviously doing the right thing, not doing anything too stupid, like eating loads of junk food or smoking. Look after your body, it’s good at the moment, you don’t want to risk it! It does have really serious consequences on the way you can live your life."
Priti: “I am at Increased Risk. I would say look at what you’re eating. Look at what exercise your doing. If there’s anything you can do to live in a healthier lifestyle. It’s just not about Type 2 diabetes but to make you feel healthier yourself.”
Dilip: “My results came back as Increased Risk. Last Christmas I bought myself an exercise bike, which is still there and I haven’t used it much. A lot of people are like me; they have some information about obesity and diabetes but are probably not taking it that seriously because they are so busy. But that is an important thing to realise and make some changes early on so that 10-20 years from now, we don’t have Type 2 diabetes.”
Deirdre: “I am at Increased Risk so I need to eat better. And I’ve decided to do exercise that’s achievable. I couldn’t do a marathon tomorrow but I am doing lots of walking and building up to a 5k run.”
Barry: “We all want to live as long as we can and we want to be as fit for as long as we can. I’m very conscious I want to keep myself as fit and as active for as long as I can. I have to control what I eat and what I do. I despair sometimes when I see some of the food people eat at my age. They are eating themselves into the grave!”
Alan
Alan: “I’m at Moderate Risk. I would say go see your GP and get the blood test done, talk to a professional so they can advise you what best to do. We’re terrible at waiting until we have to do something about it. This is a condition you can’t back away from. It never gets better. So, step away from the edge.”
Hari
Harikrishna: “I am at High Risk. I know you can control it by lifestyle or by medication and then you can have a good life. I am going to see my GP very soon to have a test for diabetes”
Julia
Julia: “I am at High Risk but I have three friends who have diabetes already and they all wish they’d recognised the signs. That’s why I’m sticking to my new lifestyle plan. I am going to see my GP very soon to have a test for diabetes."
Alison
Alison: "I have diabetes and I would say it's really important you take action if you are at risk. If you can avoid the constant battle I'm fighting then do!"

Your risk score is the same as Harikrishna and Julia

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The Diabetes Careline.

The Diabetes UK Careline provides support and information about diabetes and is staffed by trained counsellors with knowledge of the condition who can also provide a listening ear and the time to talk things through. The Careline is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Telephone: 0845 120 2960*

Email: careline@diabetes.org.uk

Write: Diabetes UK Careline, MacLeod House, 10 Parkway, London, NW1 7AA.

*(Depending on your phone package, calls to 0845 numbers may be free. Otherwise, calls to this number from a BT landline can incur a 9.05p set-up charge plus an additional charge of up to 5.25p per minute. Please check with your phone provider for further details of costs to 0845 numbers. Alternatively, call 020 7424 1000 and ask Reception to transfer your call to the Careline.)

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Healthy Living

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Find out more about Diabetes
What is Diabetes Causes and risk factors
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Your report is on its way to your inbox now.

Find out more about diabetes and healthy living on the Diabetes UK website.

Share your risk score with family and friends
Healthy Living

Find out how you can reduce your risk through a healthier lifestyle.

Eating well Keeping active
Find out more about Diabetes
What is Diabetes Causes and risk factors
Support Diabetes UK
Donate Become a supporting member Fundraise
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