How does Type 2 diabetes develop over time?

Insulin resistance first makes the pancreas release more insulin to keep glucose normal. The beta cells can eventually wear out, and blood glucose then rises above normal.

How does Type 2 diabetes differ from Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes is mainly insulin resistance and is strongly linked to lifestyle and body weight.

What proportion of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 2 diabetes?

About 90% of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK, 2023).

CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science 3310

Protein

Topic overview Functions of protein Amino acids, biological value and complementation Animal and plant sources of protein Novel protein sources Nitrogen balance and protein requirements

Fat

Topic overview Functions of fat Structure of fats and fatty acids Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids Omega-3, omega-6 and trans fatty acids Essential fatty acids

Carbohydrate

Topic overview Sources and functions of carbohydrate Intrinsic, extrinsic and non-milk extrinsic sugars Starch and resistant starch Non-starch polysaccharides and dietary fibre Blood sugar, glycaemic index and glycaemic load

Vitamins

Topic overview Vitamin solubility, absorption and bioavailability Vitamin A and beta-carotene Vitamin D and sunlight Vitamins E and K Thiamin, riboflavin and niacin Vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate Vitamin C and scurvy

Minerals

Topic overview Calcium and phosphorus Magnesium, sodium and potassium Iron and iron deficiency anaemia Iodine and fluorine Selenium and zinc Mineral bioavailability and absorption

Water and Other Fluids

Topic overview Functions and sources of water Nutritional benefits of other drinks Factors affecting hydration Dehydration and water intoxication

Nutrition Through Life

Topic overview Pre-conception and pregnancy nutrition Lactation and infant milk feeding Weaning and pre-school children School-age children and teenagers Nutrition for adult men and women Older adults and the frail elderly Dietary Reference Values and diet evaluation

Eating Patterns

Topic overview Food consumption trends and demographic change Social change, employment and leisure patterns Resources and availability of healthy food Food labels and advertising as barriers

Energy and Energy Balance

Topic overview Why the body needs energy Basal metabolic rate and physical activity level Energy EARs through life Energy balance and weight change

Overweight and Obesity

Topic overview BMI, waist circumference and measuring body fat Trends in childhood and adult obesity Barriers to achieving a healthy weight Health problems of excess weight Achieving a healthy weight in children and adults

Cardiovascular Disease

Topic overview Defining CVD and how atherosclerosis develops Non-modifiable risk factors for CVD Smoking, inactivity, alcohol, obesity and Type 2 diabetes Blood cholesterol, fatty acids and soluble fibre Hypertension, sodium, antioxidants and homocysteine Preventing CVD through diet and lifestyle

Cancer

Topic overview Cancer and how tumours develop Fat, salt and meat in cancer risk Wholegrains, fruit, vegetables and antioxidants Lifestyle factors in cancer risk Recommendations to reduce cancer risk

Type 2 Diabetes

Topic overview Definition and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes Preventing Type 2 diabetes Managing Type 2 diabetes

Alcohol

Topic overview Units, energy and alcohol's link to obesity Alcohol, the heart and cancer Alcohol in pregnancy and the developing baby Nutritional effects of heavy drinking

Physical Activity

Topic overview UK physical activity guidelines Activity, heart health and energy balance Bone, joint, muscle and mental health benefits

Food Security and Food PovertyOption A

Topic overview Food security and the threat from climate change Land degradation and population growth Food poverty as a global issue Food poverty in the UK and Northern Ireland Food banks, FareShare and the Trussell Trust

Food SustainabilityOption A

Topic overview Animal farming, climate change and natural resources Local and seasonal food Organic farming and the environment Fairtrade and producer countries Red Tractor, NI Beef and Lamb, LEAF and Conservation Grade Carbon labels, Rainforest Alliance, MSC and green claims

Food WasteOption A

Topic overview Environmental and ethical impact of food and packaging waste Waste from primary producers and food manufacturers Waste from retailers and consumers WRAP, the Courtauld Commitment and Love Food Hate Waste NI

Changing Consumer BehaviourOption A

Topic overview Advice for sustainable food choices Barriers to sustainable food choices Environmental and social cost of supermarket shopping

Food Safety Through the Food ChainOption B

Topic overview WHO and shared responsibility for food safety Animal and plant health risks The Food Standards Agency and DAERA GMP, quality assurance standards and traceability HACCP in food-serving establishments Hygiene ratings, food law inspections and EHPs

Microbiological ContaminationOption B

Topic overview Salmonella and Campylobacter Listeria and Escherichia coli High-risk foods for food poisoning Microbial control by producers and manufacturers Microbial control in catering and at home

Chemical ContaminationOption B

Topic overview Acrylamide in cooked foods Arsenic in rice Bisphenol A and dioxins Mercury, lead and cadmium in food

Food AdditivesOption B

Topic overview Additive regulation and E numbers Food colours and flavour enhancers Intense and bulk sweeteners Preservatives, nitrites and sulphites

Food AllergensOption B

Topic overview Why food allergies are increasing Allergen labelling and information rules The FSA's work on allergy and intolerance

Food Safety Controls and LegislationOption B

Topic overview EFSA and food risk assessment General food hygiene under Regulation 852/2004 Regulation 853/2004 and official controls

Research Skills

Topic overview Primary and secondary research Questionnaires and interviews Food diaries, observation and sensory evaluation Sampling and research ethics Evaluating and referencing sources Analysing and presenting data

Type 2 Diabetes

4 subtopics
12 things to know
AS 2

What Type 2 Diabetes covers

Type 2 Diabetes is examined in Unit AS 2, Diet, Lifestyle and Health — examined, compulsory. It covers definition and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes, risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, preventing Type 2 diabetes and managing Type 2 diabetes.

Where it is assessed

AS 2

Diet, Lifestyle and Health — a written examination.

Check the CCEA specification ↗

The 4 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

How do physical inactivity and long periods of sitting affect blood glucose control?

Key term

A 45-year-old office worker carries excess weight around the waist and drinks two cans of cola a day. Propose three changes and justify each.

Key term

Define Type 2 diabetes.

Key term

What are the aims of managing Type 2 diabetes?

Key term

What role does insulin play in keeping blood glucose normal after a meal?

Key term

What is the strongest modifiable risk factor for Type 2 diabetes?

Key term

What did the US Diabetes Prevention Program (2002) show about lifestyle change?

Key term

What HbA1c target is usually set for adults managing Type 2 diabetes by diet and lifestyle?

Key term

What is insulin resistance?

Key term

Explain how excess body fat leads to insulin resistance.

Key term

What were the targets of the lifestyle programme in the Diabetes Prevention Program?

Key term

Why are regular meals recommended for people managing Type 2 diabetes?

Take Type 2 Diabetes further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

Type 1 diabetes vs Type 2 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes: an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes: a condition in which cells stop responding properly to insulin and output later falls.
Insulin resistance vs Insulin deficiency
Insulin resistance: a poor response of muscle, liver and fat cells to the glucose-lowering hormone. Insulin deficiency: too little of the glucose-lowering hormone being made by the pancreas.
HbA1c vs Fasting plasma glucose
HbA1c: a blood test reflecting average sugar levels over the previous two to three months. Fasting plasma glucose: a single blood sugar reading taken after at least eight hours without food.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Define Type 2 diabetes.
Model answer
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood glucose stays too high. The body's cells resist insulin, and the pancreas cannot make enough extra insulin to compensate.
2
What role does insulin play in keeping blood glucose normal after a meal?
Model answer
Beta cells in the pancreas release insulin when blood glucose rises after a meal. Insulin makes muscle, liver and fat cells take up glucose, and the liver stores it as glycogen.
3
What is insulin resistance?
Model answer
Insulin resistance is a reduced response of muscle, liver and fat cells to insulin. More insulin is needed to move the same amount of glucose into cells.
4
How does Type 2 diabetes develop over time?
Model answer
Insulin resistance first makes the pancreas release more insulin to keep glucose normal. The beta cells can eventually wear out, and blood glucose then rises above normal.
5
How does Type 2 diabetes differ from Type 1 diabetes?
Model answer
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes is mainly insulin resistance and is strongly linked to lifestyle and body weight.
6
What proportion of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 2 diabetes?
Model answer
About 90% of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK, 2023).

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Vitamins

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Type 2 Diabetes revision questions

What does Type 2 Diabetes cover in CCEA A-Level Nutrition and Food Science?: 4 subtopics: definition and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, risk factors for type 2 diabetes, preventing type 2 diabetes and managing type 2 diabetes. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
How is Type 2 Diabetes organised?: By the CCEA 3310 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.

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