© Tony Gough Herald Sun Melita Blackney lost 18kg after taking part in the Life! Taking Action on Diabetes program.
Lifestyle-related diabetes has become the fastest-growing disease in the country, with more than 275 Australians diagnosed with some form of diabetes each day.
And alarming projections show type 2 - or "lifestyle" - diabetes will overtake coronary heart disease, anxiety and depression as having the most severe impact on public health within just eight years.
Diabetes Australia Victoria chief Greg Johnson said with 243,000 Victorians now registered with some type of the disease, the highest growth had been among young adults.
There has been a 15 per cent rise in 21 to 29-year-olds diagnosed and an 11 per cent increase for those aged in their 30s over the past 24 years.
"It's a myth that diabetes only affects the older population, as we're now even seeing adolescents being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes," Prof Johnson said.
"It's the epidemic of the 21st century and the forecasts show it's only going to become a bigger burden of disease."
Type 2 diabetes is often triggered by a person gaining significant weight and not getting enough exercise.
Comment: The treatment for Type II diabetes is diet, but not the way mainstream medicine thinks.
Why High-Fructose Corn Syrup Causes Insulin Resistance
How Coconut Oil Could Help Reduce the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Vitamin D Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Helps Prevent Diabetes
Cutting edge research has shown that the Paleo Diet (high fat, low carbohydrate) is the best defense against developing the insulin resistance characteristic of Type II diabetes.
Leptin resistance and impaired fat metabolism precede type 2 diabetes
Saturated Fat is Good for You