Type 2 diabetes represents about 85 to 95% of all cases of diabetes. It develops when the pancreas still produces insulin, but not enough, or the insulin that is produced does not work effectively (known as insulin resistance). Therefore, type 2 diabetes is known to be “non-insulin dependent”.

This type of diabetes is commonly diagnosed among adults over the age of 40, with ethic groups such as the South Asian and African-Caribbean often diagnosed around the ages of 25.

The development of type 2 diabetes is generally to do with genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. People who are overweight or obese are at higher risks.