Exploration of Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes among Arabs in Israel

Abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is becoming increasingly prevalent and is considered to be a major public health threat worldwide. Behavioral and sociodemographic factors associated with T2DM vary within different societies. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the various behavioral and sociodemographic factors associated with T2DM in the Arab society in Israel. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from 1,894 residents over the age of 21 belonging to the Arab population in Israel. The data collected from the subjects were subjected to statistical analyses using the SPSS program. Findings: Of the total sample population, 13.7% were found to be affected with T2DM. The prevalence of T2DM increased sharply in the successive age groups of both men and women. The prevalence of T2DM was found to increase progressively particularly in women with an increase in BMI (~20%, 37% and 44% respectively), while, in men it increased sharply (from 25% to ~50%) until a BMI of 29.9; it then decreased drastically (to ~24%) for a BMI of ≥30. About 85% of the men affected with T2DM were physically inactive, while 97% of the affected women were physically inactive. Almost half of the participants with diabetes have a family history of the disease in both genders. In the multivariate analysis, it was found that age, obesity, physical inactivity and family history of the disease were the significant factors associated with the prevalence of diabetes. Conclusions: It could be concluded that age, obesity, family history and physical inactivity were the significant factors associated with the prevalence of T2DM within the Arab society in Israel.

Development of a Validated Diabetes Risk Chart as a Simple Tool to Predict the Onset of Diabetes in Bogor, Indonesia

“… 19 An Israeli study showed that 13.7 % of the 1,894 respondents in an Arab community aged 21 years and above had T2DM. 8 This result was lower than the study in Saudi Arabia, where 25.1% of the 872 respondents had T2DM. 20 Thus, the increasing prevalence of T2DM, particularly UDD, requires more intensive prevention efforts by early identification of the risk factors.…”

“…The results indicate that the risk factors for T2DM are generally similar across the different ethnic groups with age, family history of DM, obesity and hypertension as the most common. 7 , 8 …”

Study of Health Awareness Status among Diabetes Patients in Eastern India: A Relationship between Demographic and Socioeconomic Profiles along with Biochemical and Obesity Parameters

“…The prevalence of DM is influenced by demographic and socioeconomic profiles. According to Sharkia et al, [10] the educational qualification and income levels may affect increasing the prevalence of T2DM in Israel. According to Walker et al, [6] age-specific life expectancy was calculated based on stratified socioeconomic status for T2DM patients in Scotland.…”

“…Sharkia et al reported that education and income levels might have an increasing effect on the prevalence of T2DM in Israel. [10] Not only in Israel, but several studies are also available that confirm the demographic and socioeconomic influence on the prevalence of DM. [11][12][13][14] Disease awareness particularly on DM has an extraordinary effect as a positive influence to prevent the disease and its comorbidities.…”

The Relationship between Type 2 Diabetes, Differentiation of Self, and Emotional Distress: Jews and Arabs in Israel

“…Previous studies have reported that the causes include obesity, family history, inactivity, education and income. Studies have pointed out that T2DM is a result of a combination of sociodemographic factors and health behaviors [ 45 ]. Additionally, it was reported that greater risk of diabetes among Arabs were due to lifestyle factors, family history of diabetes and, among women, history of gestational diabetes [ 46 ].…”