Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease. While Type 1 diabetes represents 10-15% of all diabetes, it is the growth in Type 2 diabetes, 85-90% of all cases, which causes particular concern as it relates to lifestyle. The diabetes epidemic in Australia is driven by lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity. What are the different types of diabetes, what are the related health conditions and costs, and what measures can halt the spread of this largely avoidable epidemic?