- Over 6 in ten people (64%[1]) have not checked their risk, with confusion and a lack of awareness preventing people from taking action
- Of those who have not checked their risk, almost a quarter (24%) do not know how to check, and over a quarter (27%) do not believe they are at risk.
- Nearly half of Brits (48%) are unaware that they can check their type 2 diabetes risk online through Diabetes UK Know Your Risk Tool.
Tesco and Diabetes UK are encouraging people across the UK to take a simple step towards understanding their health after new research has revealed that over four in ten adults (42%) have never thought about their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults also found that over six in ten people (64%1) have not checked their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, despite the condition affecting millions of people across the UK.
Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to life-changing complications, including heart disease, stroke and sight loss if left undiagnosed or unmanaged. However, with the right support, many cases can be prevented or delayed, making early awareness and action particularly important.
The findings suggest many people may be missing opportunities to understand their risk or the support to make changes. Among those who have not checked their risk, more than a quarter (27%) say it is because they do not believe they are at risk, while almost a quarter (24%) say they would not know how to check.
The survey also uncovered confusion about what influences a person’s likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, with around one in five people (21%) saying they do not know enough about type 2 diabetes risk to identify risk factors involved. Age, ethnicity, family history, weight and other health factors can all affect risk, but only 28% of respondents identified this broader combination of factors. This reflects wider misconceptions about the condition, with separate CharityTracker data showing that 36% of people believe eating too much sugar is the main cause of diabetes and 37% believe people develop type 2 diabetes because of their lifestyle choices.
Tom Lye, Category Director for Health and Wellness at Tesco, said: “We know that taking steps to understand your health can sometimes feel daunting, which is why we want to make support as accessible as possible. Through our partnership with Diabetes UK, we’re encouraging people to use the free Know Your Risk tool to better understand their risk of type 2 diabetes. If customers have concerns or questions, our trained pharmacy colleagues are on hand in over 350 Tesco Pharmacies to offer advice and support.”
Douglas Twenefour, Head of Clinical at Diabetes UK, said: “Around 6.9 million people in the UK are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, but taking small steps can make a big difference. Diabetes UK’s free, online Know Your Risk tool can help you understand your risk in just a few minutes, and offers advice on how to reduce it if needed. Through our partnership with Tesco, we’re making it easier for people to access vital information and support in their local communities.”
Although lack of awareness remains the biggest barrier, the survey also suggests that concern and embarrassment may prevent some people from learning more about their risk. Among those who have not checked their risk, 14% say they worry about what the result might be, while around one in ten worry about being judged because of their weight, diet or health behaviours (9%) or feel embarrassed discussing their risk (8%). There are tools and support out there, but nearly half of UK adults (48%) said they were unaware that they could check their type 2 diabetes risk online or had not heard of the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk Tool.
However, the findings also suggest people are open to getting support in familiar, accessible settings, with 80%[2] saying they would feel comfortable speaking to a pharmacist about their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
To help people better understand their likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, Tesco and Diabetes UK are encouraging people to use the free online Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool. The simple online assessment takes just a few minutes to complete and can help identify whether someone may be at increased risk of developing the condition, as well as signposting them to further support where appropriate. Customers who have concerns about their risk, symptoms or diabetes more generally can also speak to a trained pharmacist in store at more than 350 Tesco Pharmacies across the country.
People can find out more and access the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/tesco
Case Study
Marlene Goncalves, 40, from Shropshire was diagnosed with prediabetes in February 2023 but has since reversed it after taking action to adjust her diet and exercise routines.
Marlene said: “Knowledge is power, and knowing you’re at higher risk of type 2 diabetes is incredibly important in helping to prevent it developing. Having that knowledge and knowing you’re at increased risk, will help inform decisions and adopt healthier behaviours that can reduce or even prevent the progression to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
“My advice to anyone who feels apprehensive or scared about checking their risk is simple: choose to know. While it can feel daunting, the knowledge you gain has the potential to be life-changing. Understanding your health and any associated risks is empowering. It gives you the opportunity to make informed decisions, take positive action and improve your health.”
