Type 2 Diabetes Prevention

This programme, funded by NHS Tayside and run by Second Nature, can help you lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes and improve your overall health and wellbeing. It focuses on helping you lose weight in a way that lasts, by building healthy habits into your everyday life. Learn more below.
Enrol in the Programme
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What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means that your blood sugar (glucose) is higher than normal, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes do not usually experience any symptoms so finding out that you have prediabetes may come as a surprise. The good news is that after a diagnosis of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes can often be prevented, or delayed for many years.

Diagnosing prediabetes

If you’re worried about prediabetes, you should call your GP Practice and ask for a blood test. The most common test will be checking your HbA1c, which is your average blood glucose for the last three months. If your HbA1c is between 42mmol/mol – 47mmol/mol this means it is higher than normal and you are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

To join the programme you must be:



  • Diagnosed with Prediabetes, or previously had gestational diabetes

  • Aged 18-70 years old

  • Comfortable using a Smartphone app for lifestyle support

  • Motivated to lose weight

  • Registered with a GP practice in Angus, Dundee, or Perth and Kinross

Here's what you can expect:



  • A FREE 9-month app-based diabetes prevention and weight management programme

  • One-on-one health coaching from a nutritionist and the option to join a peer support group

  • Digital weighing scales, a printed recipe book and resources covering key aspects of weight management

About the programme

This programme is clinically proven to help you lose weight and lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Here's how it works:

Sustainable change

It isn't about restrictive dieting; the focus is on eating real food you enjoy and building healthier habits.

Holistic approach

You'll get help and resources to make changes to food, activity, mindset, sleep, stress, and wellbeing.

Personal support

Expert guidance from a nutritionist or dietitian, plus access to a supportive peer group.

Convenient access

Learn and get support through a user-friendly app, with no need to travel for appointments.

Track

Track changes in food, activity, and weight

Support

Receive 1:1 support from a registered nutritionist

Learn

Review daily articles on nutrition, activity, sleep, stress and wellbeing

programme Benefits

6kg
Average weight loss at 6 months
86%
of people would recommend the programme
3 units
Average reduction in blood sugars at 6 months
£0
Available through NHS Tayside at no cost to you
"
"I previously thought I 'knew it all'. I had used several commercial plans before e.g. Weight Watchers etc. The Second Nature plan just clicked with me. I loved the fact that I wasn't calorie counting but learned how to make informed, long-term changes to my eating habits."
Alison
, Age 
53
Programme:  
Type 2 Diabetes Prevention

Take action today for a better tomorrow

Prediabetes and gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) are serious warnings. They mean you have a much higher chance of getting Type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes - even if you feel healthy right now.
The good news is that you can lower your risk! Prediabetes can be reversed. It's easier to deal with now than if it turns into Type 2 diabetes. Don’t wait for a diabetes diagnosis to take action - the best time to start is today.
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PROGRAMME TIMELINE

Find out more about what is involved in the Second Nature Type 2 diabetes prevention programme offered through NHS Tayside.

Getting Started

After completing the self-referral form, Second Nature will process your information within 48 hours and email you a sign-up link. Once registered, you'll be paired with a nutritionist or dietitian for personalised support. You'll receive a package with Bluetooth scales, a nutrition handbook, and a recipe book. Access the programme via the app on your smartphone or computer.

Months 1-3

You'll get the support, knowledge, and tools to build healthy habits. You'll receive daily articles on nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and well-being. You'll also join an in-app peer group chat. Your health coach will be available Monday to Friday (8am to 5pm) for group discussions and private 1:1 chats, typically responding within 48 hours, often sooner.

Months 3- 9

You'll continue receiving support from your health coach in your peer group chat while setting new goals or reinforcing changes from the first three months. You can explore topics through 4-week mini-courses and join wider in-app communities with other Second Nature members.

Click the button below to visit the Second Nature website and enrol in the programme.
Enrol in the Programme

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about our Type 2 diabetes prevention programme

Please call the Second Nature support team on 02034 880769 or email support@secondnature.io

The educational content is available in 10 different languages: English, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, Gujarati, Tamil, Polish, Chinese, Welsh and Punjabi. The nutritionist and peer group chats are in English.

Second Nature is a digital healthcare company that specialises in delivering digital weight management and diabetes prevention programmes. By partnering with Second Nature, NHS Tayside can offer patients a more accessible, engaging and flexible weight management solution, reducing waiting times and supporting individuals who may have difficulty attending in-person appointments. This remote delivery model also provides a cost-effective solution and enables us to help significantly, more people than we would manage with traditional in-person services. This is particularly important given that over 2500 people in Tayside are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes each year.

There is no set time to log into the app. The support group is in the form of a group chat (similar to WhatsApp) and you can check in whenever you have the time. This means you can access support when you need it, instead of during scheduled appointments.

Self-refer using the link above! The programme is delivered online through an app, so you don't need to travel anywhere to participate. You can access all of the programme features through the mobile and tablet app.

In research published by the NHS in the British Medical Journal, the Second Nature programme achieved double the weight loss when compared to all 4 other weight-loss programmes that were tested. Of over 300 people with prediabetes taking part in the Second Nature programme, the average weight loss was 6.6 kg and reduction in blood sugar levels was 2.8 mmol/mol.