Pre – Diabetes, Breaking the Cycle

In New Zealand currently, there are243,125 people withtype two diabetes (T2DM); Another 500,000 are predicted to have pre-diabetes.

Before a person develops diabetes,they usually have a condition called ‘pre-diabetes’ –sometimes referred to as ‘impaired glucose tolerance’or ‘impaired fasting glucose.’

Some ethnicities have a greater risk of developing pre-diabetes than others e.g. Maori, Indian, and PacificIslanders. Other risk factors include being overweight,lack of physical activity, family history of diabetes andwomen who have had large babies and/or gestationaldiabetes.

GP’s and Practice Nursescan carry outblood teststo diagnose pre-diabetes (or diabetes). A diagnosis of pre-diabetes means lifestyle changes are needed or type two diabetes is likely to occur.

A FREE Diabetes Prevention Programmeis being run by Sport Bay of Plenty, offering support to those who have been identified at risk of developing type two diabetes i.e. pre-diabetes.

The Western Bay of Plenty has a dedicated Green Prescription Advisor for the Diabetes Prevention Programme, Rebecca Boyce. Rebecca is a Tauranga local of Ngai Te Rangi and NgatiPukenga descent who has been visiting the local GP practices and Hauora advising them of the new programme. She has been working with locals who have been referred onto the programme and looking to make healthy lifestyle changes so they can dodge diabetes.

Rebecca provides guidance regarding healthy eating and getting active. The programme includes the opportunity to attend a‘one on one’ session with the programme Dietician, Emma McMichael; nutrition workshops to learn about healthy food options; and hands on healthy cooking classes working with our chef, Tauranga local Stephen Wilson. Stephen will be helping participants cook healthy low cost meals from foods readily available in the area.

If you have pre-diabetes or type two diabetes, you may feel fine now, but you could actually be at risk. Type two diabetes is preventable – Get checked out now! Visit your GP, Practice Nurse or Hauora and start your journey towards better health outcomes and taking control of your life!!

For more information contact Tauranga (07) 578 0016, Rotorua (07) 348 4125,

Whakatane (07) 308 8304 email or visit