• An auto-immune condition

• Occurs when the pancreas does not produce ANY insulin

• Represents around 10% of all cases of diabetes and is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions

• Onset is usually abrupt and the symptoms obvious, usually occurs in juvenile population

• Symptoms can include excessive thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue and blurred vision

• Is managed with insulin injections several times a day or the use of an insulin pump.

Type I Diabetes

Type II Diabetes

• Progressive condition

• Is diagnosed when the pancreas does not produce ENOUGH insulin (reduced insulin production) and/or the insulin does not work effectively and/or the cells of the body do not respond to insulin effectively (known as insulin resistance)

• Represents 85–90 per cent of all cases of diabetes

• Usually develops in adults over the age of 45 years but is increasingly occurring in younger age groups including children, adolescents and young adults

• Strong genetic and family related risk factors and therefore is more likely in people with a family history of type 2 diabetes

• Is managed with a combination of regular physical activity, healthy eating and weight reduction. As type 2 diabetes is often progressive, most people will need oral medications and/or insulin injections in addition to lifestyle changes over time.

Gestational Diabetes

• Occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born.

• Becoming more common in Australia, between 5% and 10% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes and this usually occurs around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy.

• Having gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50%

• You are at risk of developing gestational diabetes if you:

  • Are over 25 years of age

  • Have a family history of type 2 diabetes

  • Are overweight

  • Are from an Indigenous Australian or Torres Strait Islander background

  • Are from a Vietnamese, Chinese, middle eastern, Polynesian or Melanesian background

  • Have had gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies

  • Have previously had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

  • Have previously given birth to a large baby

  • Have a family history of gestational diabetes