Seventy-five percent of people at risk of Type 2 diabetes on the HSE National Diabetes Prevention Programme lose weight, according to new research.

Among those already diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, 50% managed to bring their blood glucose levels back to within the normal range with the help of the HSE Discover Diabetes programme.

These programmes are free and cover blood glucose management, body weight, body mass index and mental health issues.

A number of support services for people with Type 2 diabetes or at risk of Type 2 diabetes are available through the HSE. 

Data from one of the programmes revealed that as many as 16,000 people in Ireland are currently at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

More information on pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes is available at www.hse.ie/diabetes