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.
If you’re worried about prediabetes, you should call your GP surgery and ask for a blood test. The most common test will be checking your HbA1c levels which is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last three months. If your HbA1c level is between 42mmol/mol (6%) – 47mmol/mol (6.4%) this means it is higher than normal and you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
This programme is clinically proven to help you lose weight and lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Here’s how it works:
Find out more about what is involved in the Second Nature Type 2 diabetes prevention programme offered through NHS Tayside.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions about our Type 2 diabetes prevention programme
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Please call the Second Nature support team on 02034 880769 or email support@secondnature.io
