A Comparison of Nutritional Status, Knowledge and Type 2 Diabetes Risk Among Malaysian Young Adults With and Without Family History of Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Genetic factors increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, family history status may be a useful public health tool for disease prevention. This study compared the nutritional status, knowledge level, and T2DM risk among young adults with and without a family history of diabetes in Malaysia. Methods: A total of 288 university students aged 18 to 29 years participated in this comparative cross-sectional study. We assessed dietary intake, level of physical activity, knowledge of diabetes and T2DM risk. Results: Respondents with a family history of diabetes had significantly higher weight (P = 0.003), body mass index (P < 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), diabetes knowledge level (P < 0.005) and T2DM risk (P < 0.001). Ethnicity, fibre intake, T2DM risk score and knowledge about diabetes were significant contributors toward family history of diabetes (P = 0.025, 0.034, < 0.001 and 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: Young adults with a family history of diabetes had suboptimal nutritional status. Despite being more knowledgeable about diabetes, they did not practice a healthy lifestyle. Family history status can be used to screen young adults at the risk of developing T2DM for primary disease prevention.

Análisis genealógico de diabetes tipo 2 en familias extensas multigeneracionales de una comunidad yucateca

“…Ser mujer agrega mayor riesgo para desarrollar DT2, así como la rama parental materna de transmisión. Promover el conocimiento de las enfermedades de los ancestros y el uso de la genealogía como herramienta para prevención y promoción de la salud es fundamental para frenar el incremento de casos en poblaciones susceptibles (45)(46)(47).…”

Factors Associated with the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women of Childbearing Age in A Selected Community in Malaysia

“…Family history reflects both genetic and environmental factors and thus serves as an independent predictor of T2D risk (Harrison et al, 2003). A previous study in Malaysia suggested using a family history of diabetes as a simple and quick screening tool to identify individuals at high risk of T2D (Hasbullah et al, 2021). A study involving Japanese women with a family history of diabetes in their early 20s found a correlation between family history of diabetes and postprandial hyperinsulinemia (Takeuchi et al, 2020).…”

“…Diabetes risk score tools have been developed to improve risk stratification, enhance early detection of T2D, identify individuals with undiagnosed diabetes, and raise awareness in the population to modify risk factors and practice a healthier lifestyle (Saleem et al, 2017;Dugee et al, 2015). Some of the diabetes risk score tools that have been used in the Malaysian population include the Australian T2D risk assessment tool (AUSDRISK) (Hasbullah et al, 2021), Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) (Lim et al, 2020;Oo et al, 2020) and Indian Diabetes Risk Score (Abdullah et al, 2018). Nonetheless, none of these studies assessed T2D risk specifically in Malaysian women of childbearing age.…”

IoT framework of telerehabilitation system with wearable sensors for diabetes mellitus patients

“…According to world population review, as of 2022, Malaysia is now ranked at number 16 in the world with 19.0% (6.3 million) of prevalence rate diagnosed with diabetes [6]. Diabetes is not only incurable, but it also increases the chance of various health problems and microvascular compilations such as heart disease, nerve damages (neuropathy), strokes, hearing loss, hypertension, blindness (retinopathies), amputations, and kidney failure (nephropathies) [4], [7]- [9].…”