Lifestyle advice in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.

Dietary advice from health professionals can play a significant part in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes. Overweight and obesity are strongly associated with this condition, and individually tailored advice on weight loss and maintaining an appropriate weight are useful, together with encouragement to take appropriate exercise. Current thinking about a healthy diet and lifestyle apply to people with type 2 diabetes, but those with this condition or who are at risk from it need to understand why diet and exercise are so important in their case. The article explores these issues, including specific aspects of diet such as carbohydrates and the glycaemic index.