Type 2 diabetes occurs when the human body either cannot make enough insulin or does not use insulin well, resulting in high blood glucose levels. This condition is a growing global health burden that can reduce the quality of life and life expectancy.

Before type 2 diabetes develops, many people go through a prolonged stage called prediabetes, where blood glucose levels are above normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes is an important window wherein lifestyle changes can reduce the progression to diabetes.