Approximately 6 million Brits are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes
In the UK, around 6 million people are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, often unaware until serious complications arise. However, early warning signs are there, showing up through our skin, waistlines, sleep patterns, and energy levels.
On TikTok, content creator Jade Rivers, who claims to have reversed insulin resistance, regularly posts videos encouraging people to educate themselves and change their lifestyle habits to achieve similar results.
In a video titled “Here’s what a body looks like that’s heading towards diabetes”, she outlines warning signs, explains why they happen, and suggests corrective actions. She said: “If your body looks like this, chances are you’re headed towards type 2 diabetes.”
Dark patches
The first sign Jade points out is dark patches under arms, which are often an indication of acanthosis nigricans (AN), a condition that can result from insulin resistance and is frequently associated with diabetes or pre-diabetes, reports the Mirror.
This condition causes dark, thickened, and velvety patches of skin, particularly in areas with skin folds such as underarms or neck.
Skin tags
Moreover, skin tags can act as an indicator for type 2 diabetes, as studies show a link between having multiple skin tags and an increased risk of insulin resistance and diabetes, according to the NHS.
It’s important to recognise that skin tags aren’t definitive proof of diabetes, and their presence alone doesn’t mean you have the condition.
Waistline
Jade points to another warning sign: a waist measurement that exceeds half your height. Medically speaking, carrying excess weight around your middle (visceral fat) presents a serious risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease – even if your BMI looks “normal”.
British guidelines are increasingly focusing on waist-to-height ratio: aim for below 0.5, with 0.6 or above indicating increased risk. As a rough guide, larger waist measurements (particularly over 94 cm/37 in for men and 80 cm/31.5 in for women) suggest heightened cardiometabolic danger.
She adds: “If you touch your stomach and it’s hard and dense, you’re insulin resistant because your body is [likely] stuck in fat-storing mode.”
Feet swelling
Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves over time, reducing circulation and leading to fluid build-up in the lower legs and feet. Persistent swelling needs medical attention, as it could also be linked to heart, kidney or venous problems – conditions that might occur alongside diabetes.
Sleep apnoea
A damaging cycle can develop when excess weight causes obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Interrupted breathing reduces oxygen levels, which can lead to insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose. Inadequate sleep quality can also raise blood pressure and put strain on the heart, exacerbating the risks associated with diabetes.
If you’re a heavy snorer, gasp during the night, or feel fatigued upon waking, it’s recommended to consult your GP about an OSA evaluation.
A hump on the back of the neck
Jade points out a ‘buffalo hump’ – a fatty deposit across the back of the neck and shoulders. This symptom is technically a build-up of fat on the back of the neck and shoulders and is a common sign of Cushing’s syndrome, which occurs due to excessive levels of the hormone cortisol.
Elevated cortisol levels can be caused by sustained high blood sugar in diabetes, which may prompt the body to store fat in this area. Jade added: “What’s crazy is you can go to your doctor but you’re just going to get a pill for each of these symptoms. But these are all just signs and you can do something about it today.”
She continued: “Our bloodstream should only have a teaspoon of sugar in it at most at a time. But with our modern food environment and the foods that we’re eating, we have well over that in our bloodstream. But the key to controlling that is right here.”
Lifestyle changes – such as nutrient-rich eating, regular exercise, improved sleep, and weight control – can be transformative when it comes to Type 2 diabetes. Similarly, NHS treatment is available to diagnose, assist and, where appropriate, prescribe treatments.
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