Type 2 diabetes is a complex chronic condition that causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high.1 The underlying cause of type 2 diabetes is often unclear. Known risk factors include older age, ethnicity, living with overweight or obesity, and a family history of type 2 diabetes.1
In the human body, several hormones control the body’s blood sugar levels. This includes insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes develops as a result of the body's cells being unable to respond fully to the insulin being produced (insulin resistance). To compensate, the pancreas makes more insulin. Over time, the pancreas may struggle to keep up with this increased demand and eventually fail to produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control.1
High levels of sugar in the blood may lead to long-term problems
that develop gradually and can become serious if they go unchecked and
untreated. This can result in chronic complications including heart
attacks, stroke, kidney conditions and an increased risk of some cancers.2
Some people are able to manage their type 2 diabetes through a healthy diet and active lifestyle.3 However, most people need treatment alongside lifestyle changes to keep their blood sugar levels under control.4
In some cases, type 2 diabetes can be put into a state of remission, where long-term blood sugar levels fall below the diabetes level without the need for medication.5 Research indicates that weight loss is a main factor for achieving remission.5
In the past three decades, the number of people living with type 2 diabetes has risen dramatically.10
For over 100 years, we have discovered new ways to support people living with diabetes. Our starting place is listening to people living with type 2 diabetes to understand their challenges and experiences of managing the condition.
At Novo Nordisk, we are committed to driving change for people living with type 2 diabetes – from researching treatment options, to delivery systems that seek to make management simple and convenient.
International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas 10th edition; 2021. Available from: https://diabetesatlas.org/idfawp/resource-files/2021/07/IDF_Atlas_10th_Edition_2021.pdf [Accessed February 2025]
Diabetes UK. Complications of Diabetes. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications [Accessed February 2025]
Diabetes UK. Type 2 diabetes treatments; 13 April 2023. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/type-2-diabetes/treatments [Accessed February 2025]
Diabetes UK. Type 2 diabetes medicine; 13 April 2023. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/type-2-diabetes/medicine [Accessed February 2025]
Diabetes UK. What is type 2 diabetes remission?; 29 January 2024. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/type-2-diabetes/remission/what-is-type-2-diabetes-remission [Accessed February 2025]
Office For National Statistics. Risk factors for pre-diabetes and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in England: 2013 to 2019; 19 February 2024. Available from:
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthinequalities/bulletins/riskfactorsforprediabetesandundiagnosedtype2diabetesinengland/2013to2019 [Accessed February 2025]
Diabetes UK. Type 2 Diabetes. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-2 [Accessed February 2025]
Diabetes UK. How many people in the UK have diabetes? Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/statistics [Accessed February 2025]
Diabetes UK. The risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes; 23 November 2020. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/heart-disease-risk-research [Accessed February 2025]
World Health Organization. Diabetes. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes [Accessed February 2025]