Frequently Asked Questions

Type 2 diabetes happens when there’s too much sugar (called glucose) in your blood. This can happen if your body isn’t making enough insulin, or if it’s not using the insulin properly. When there’s too much sugar in your blood, it can cause problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, and even your feet. Before Type 2 diabetes develops, you might be told you have pre-diabetes. This means your sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be called diabetes. It’s a warning that you need to make some changes to stay healthy and prevent it from getting worse. For more on Type 2 Diabetes visit:

National Diabetes Services Scheme

The 2kg Challenge is a FREE program from the Western Sydney Changing Diabetes team. It helps you make simple changes, like eating healthier and moving more, so you can build healthy habits. These changes can lower your risk of diabetes and even help you turn pre-diabetes around.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can sneak up on you, but the good news is you can take steps now to lower your risk! If you’re at risk, losing just 2kg can lower your chances of getting diabetes by 30%!

By joining the 2kg Challenge, you’ll get 8 weeks of support with healthy eating, exercise tips, and helpful advice. We’ll guide you through texts, emails, and videos, plus you’ll be part of an online community where you can get support and stay updated.

Once you sign up, we’ll guide you step by step. You’ll get to choose a free program to check in on your eating, pick free or low-cost exercise options in Western Sydney, and explore simple tools to help you stay on track. The Challenge runs for 8 weeks, and each week you’ll receive helpful tips and updates to keep you motivated. At the end of the 8 weeks, we’ll check in to see how you’re going. If you’ve reached your goal – that’s great! We’ll help you keep it up. If not, we’ll support you to keep going. Getting started is easy – just sign up below.

Sign Up

The 2kg Challenge is for adults who have pre-diabetes or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and are above a healthy weight. If you’re looking for free programs to support children or teens in Western Sydney, check out the great resources at the WSLHD Centre for Population Health:

WSLHD Centre for Population Health

If you are pregnant, we recommend getting advice from your doctor or midwife before starting any
new programs. The 2kg Challenge is not recommended during pregnancy, but there are other free programs to help you stay healthy during this time. Speak to your GP, health professional or check
out WSLHD Centre for Population Health for support: Western Sydney Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is increasing in Western Sydney. If you have GDM, you are at a
higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later. The good news is, there are steps you can take to
lower your risk. After pregnancy, joining the 2kg Challenge can be a great way to get started on your
journey to better health.

If you are pregnant, we recommend getting advice from your doctor or midwife before starting any new programs. The 2kg Challenge is not recommended during pregnancy, but there are other free programs to help you stay healthy during this time. Speak to your GP, or health professional or check out WSLHD Centre for Population Health for support:

WSLHD Centre for Population Health

Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is increasing in Western Sydney. If you have GDM, you are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later. The good news is, there are steps you can take to lower your risk. After pregnancy, joining the 2kg Challenge can be a great way to get started on your journey to better health.

If you are overweight, that’s fantastic! While the goal is to lose 2kg, losing even more can be even better for some people. If you’re at risk of diabetes, losing 2kg can lower your risk by 30%. If you already have diabetes, losing 4kg can greatly improve your health and if you’re in the early stages of diabetes, losing more than 4kg might even reverse the condition entirely. The challenge is all about building healthy habits, so the more progress you make, the better you’ll feel.

That’s fantastic! Encourage them to check in with you regularly so you can keep track of their progress. By giving them personal advice and helping them stay involved in the 2kg Challenge, you’ll make it easier for them to include it in their daily routine. A strong support network can make all the difference in their long-term success! Also, for more resources, Western Sydney HealthPathways offers valuable local resources to assist clinicians in making informed decisions with their patients. Health professionals in Western Sydney can access the “Older Person’s Weight and Nutrition” pathway for further guidance and to explore localised referral pathways. To request access, contact the HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wentwest.com.au