Janet Jackson has revealed that she was very close to getting diabetes because of her weight gain.

The 46-year-old singer recently dropped a dramatic amount of weight thanks to Nutrisystem. She is now a spokeswoman for the company.

And the superstar told Prevention magazine that her very public battle with her weight has also served to help others with the same issue.

'I think people really connect with the idea of someone who's gained and lost weight in a very public way, and also someone who's an emotional eater,' Janet told the publication.

The Control star says that her 'emotional triggers' include her being bored, sad, frustrated or stressed and she turned to sweet food as a result.

'Chocolate, cake, caramel apples ' there aren't many things I don't love,' Janet admitted.

'Health was always a concern. When I gained weight in 2005, my nutritionist was very worried.

'I was close to having diabetes. Even when I lost it [and] then gained quite a bit back, there was always the thought of heart disease.'

She says she now tries to keep exercise fun and she works out with her backing dancers doing 'drills and races.'