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Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men’s Health
The University of Adelaide
GPO Box 498
Adelaide SA 5005

Phone:  +618 8313 0514
Facsimile: +618 8313 0355

The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool

Assess
Your Health Risk

Take the Test

This assessment tool was originally developed by the International Diabetes Institute on behalf of the Australian, State and Territory Governments as part of the COAG Diabetes reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes initiative.

We recommend you read the information on how to measure your waist correctly before taking the test.

 Tune-up with 891 ABC Adelaide
Your Age Group
Under 35 years
35 - 44 years
45 - 54 years
55 - 64 years
65 years and older
Your gender
Female
Male
Ethnicity / Country of birth
Are you of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander or Maori descent?
No
Yes

Where were you born?
Asia (including the Indian subcontinent),
Middle East, North Africa, Southern Europe

Other

Have either of your parents, or any of your brothers or sisters
been diagnosed with diabetes (type 1 or type 2)?

No
Yes

Have you ever been found to have high blood glucose (sugar)
(for example, in a health examination, during an illness, during pregnancy)?

No
Yes

Are you currently taking medication for high blood pressure?
No
Yes

Do you currently smoke cigarettes or any other tobacco products on a daily basis?
No
Yes

How often do you eat vegetables or fruits?
Every Day
Not Every Day

On average, would you say you do at least 2.5 hours of physical activity per week
(for example, 30 minutes a day on 5 or more days a week)?

No
Yes

Your waist measurement?


For those of Asian or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent:
Men Women  
Less than 90cm Less than 80cm
90-100cm 80-90cm
More than 100cm More than 90cm

For all others:
Men Women  
Less than 90cm Less than 80cm
90-100cm 80-90cm
More than 100cm More than 90cm


Results

*The overall score may overestimate the risk of diabetes in those aged less than 25 years and underestimate the risk of diabetes in people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone released by the pancreas) or respond well enough to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. There are approximately 1 million people with type 2 diabetes currently. This figure is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.

People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing diabetes complications, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, circulation problems – possibly leading to amputation, nerve damage and damage to the kidneys and eyes.

Risk factors

Many Australians, particularly those over 40, are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle factors such as nutrition and physical activity. Family history and genetics also play a role in type 2 diabetes.

What can you do to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

Your lifestyle can prevent, or at least, delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. You cannot change risk factors like age and your genetic background. You can do something about being overweight, your waist measurement, how active you are, eating habits or smoking.

If there is type 2 diabetes in your family, you should be careful not to put on weight. Reducing your waist measurement reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes.

By increasing your physical activity and improving your eating habits you can lower your risk. Eat plenty of vegetables and high fibre cereal products every day and use a small amount of fats and oils. Monounsaturated oils, such as olive or canola oil, are the best choice.

You can have type 2 diabetes and not know it because there may be no obvious symptoms.