I have studied diabetes for many years, about my late husband who did nothing to help himself, and for me for the past 12 years. What I read over and over is to check your waist size and if it is over 35 inches, try to do something about it as it is a part of metabolic syndrome.
They do not recommend heavy dieting because they have learned that you need some good fat in every meal for metabolism. I was doing fine until I had my knee replacement and didn't work hard in the garden bending over that year. Fatter waist ever since! Before that it only took a few weeks bending over and planting and pulling weeds to get the waist smaller. Now I can't get into ready made dresses.
So I must eat low carb and try to be more active the rest of my life. I think I do better than my friends who don't study. Dorisena