The diabetes belt

The 'diabetes belt' was created to illustrate how it feels to carry excess weight around the middle - a characteristic that puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Too much fat in and around the pancreas inhibits production of the hormone insulin. Insulin is vital to control blood sugar levels. If you stop producing enough insulin, your blood sugar levels will rise and you will develop diabetes!

The belt was assembled from a weighted exercise belt and digitally printed cotton fabric. The illustrations represent unhealthy food and drink that can cause you to gain weight and increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.