Latest news with #IDFDiabetesAtlas
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Malnutrition, not sugar: the surprising truth about type 5 diabetes
Whether it's rooted in excess or scarcity, diabetes is a growing global crisis. Image: Polina Tankilevitch /pexels Type 5 Diabetes is real - and it's tied to malnutrition, not sugar. Here's what you need to know: For years, diabetes has been framed as a lifestyle condition linked to poor diet and weight gain, but that's not the full story. A new type of diabetes, now officially recognised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) as Type 5 diabetes, is turning that belief on its head. And it's hitting the world's poorest communities hardest. On April 9, Type 5 diabetes was formally added to the global classification system, the first new entry of its kind in decades. What makes this type different? It's caused not by overnutrition, but by chronic undernutrition and the people most at risk aren't those with excess fat, but those without enough food during critical early stages of development. 'Malnutrition‑related diabetes has historically been vastly under‑diagnosed and poorly understood,' said Dr Meredith Hawkins, endocrinologist at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and founding director of the Global Diabetes Institute (GDI), in an interview with Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Type 5 diabetes is caused by malnutrition during early development, not overeating common in lean people. Image: Lagos Food Bank Initiative/pexels What is Type 5 diabetes? Type 5 diabetes primarily affects people in Asia and Africa, especially lean adolescents and young adults who experienced poor nutrition during childhood. According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas (11th edition), about 20 to 25 million people are already living with this type a number that rivals HIV infection rates in the same regions. Unlike the familiar Type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to high-calorie diets and obesity, Type 5 develops when the pancreas fails to develop fully in childhood due to nutrient deficiencies particularly low protein intake during pregnancy or adolescence. An article cited in "The Conversation" explains that rodent models have shown a clear connection between a low-protein diet and underdeveloped pancreases, which translates to reduced insulin production capacity. Simply put: if your body never built enough insulin-producing cells as a child, you're at higher risk for developing diabetes later even if you stay lean and active. This newly recognised condition is more than a medical milestone it's a call to rethink global health narratives. Most public awareness campaigns around diabetes centre on obesity, sugar, and sedentary lifestyles, often overlooking the fact that millions of people face a very different risk one rooted in poverty and food insecurity. This also exposes the health gap in countries battling undernutrition and limited access to healthcare. Type 5 diabetes often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, as it doesn't fit the typical profile healthcare workers are trained to look for. As Hawkins noted, expanding our understanding of diabetes types is not just about labels; it's about making sure the right people get the right treatment. Recognising Type 5 diabetes is just the beginning. Image: Nataliya Vaitkevich/pexels Types of diabetes Here's a simplified breakdown of the major types of diabetes to better understand where Type 5 fits in: Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells. Usually appears early in life. Not linked to diet or weight. Treated with lifelong insulin therapy Type 2 Diabetes: The most common type, often linked to obesity but not exclusively This can be reversed with diet, exercise, and medication (like Metformin) Ethnic background and genetics also play a role Managed through lifestyle changes, tablets or insulin Gestational Diabetes Temporary condition during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts. Increases the future risk of Type 2 diabetes. Treated with dietary changes, insulin or tablets. Type 5 Diabetes Caused by malnutrition during early development, not overeating. Common in lean people, especially in resource-poor countries. Requires a new clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment. Still under-recognised in mainstream health systems. Why nutritional equity is keyType 5 diabetes shines a spotlight on how early-life nutrition or the lack thereof can leave permanent damage. It also challenges the global focus on obesity as the face of diabetes, urging health systems to prioritise food security and maternal nutrition as long-term investments in public health. This is more than a medical discovery, it's a wake-up call. With nearly one in nine adults living with diabetes worldwide, and more than 250 million people undiagnosed (International Diabetes Federation, IDF), it's time to think of diabetes in a new light, one that looks at inequality, not just indulgence. Whether it's rooted in excess or scarcity, diabetes is a growing global crisis. Recognising Type 5 diabetes is just the beginning. Now, the challenge is making sure people in affected communities are seen, heard, and treated starting with redefining the narrative around who is at risk and why.
Korea Herald
07-04-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Over 250 million people worldwide unaware they have diabetes, according to new research from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)
New estimates from the IDF Diabetes Atlas highlight the growing diabetes threat, with nearly one in nine adults now living with the condition. BRUSSELS, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally, nearly one in nine adults (589 million) are now living with diabetes. Of these, an estimated 252 million are not yet aware they have the condition, placing them at higher risk of serious complications and early death. Many will be diagnosed when they already have one or more of the associated complications and have missed opportunities to prevent or delay their onset. These alarming findings are from the 11 th edition of the International Diabetes Federation's Diabetes Atlas, released today at the start of the organisation's World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand. The latest IDF estimates show that: As the number of people living with diabetes continues to rise, the latest IDF Diabetes Atlas emphasises the urgent need for improved prevention, early detection and intervention to tackle the burden diabetes places on individuals, communities, health systems and economies. In 2024, global diabetes-related health expenditure surpassed one trillion US dollars for the first time, up from $966 billion in 2021. First published in 2000, the IDF Diabetes Atlas offers insights into the impact of diabetes at national, regional, and global levels, based on the best available evidence. The 11 th edition reflects new methodologies that incorporate trends in health expenditure, regional prevalence rates, and a focus on undiagnosed diabetes. Commenting on the new edition, Professor Dianna Magliano, who co-Chairs the IDF Diabetes Atlas Committee along with Professor Edward Boyko, said: "The new data provides strong evidence that should spark action and promote initiatives to improve the lives of the many millions now living with diabetes and encourage more to detect diabetes in those at risk." Professor Boyko added: "Addressing the rising trend will require greater awareness, a focus on prevention and ongoing surveillance of diabetes prevalence to support accurate monitoring of the global diabetes impact." Diabetes is associated with serious complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, nerve damage and loss of vision. The latest data shows that people living with type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of all diabetes, are at 84% higher risk of heart failure than people who do not have the condition. The International Diabetes Federation warns that the alarming rise in the prevalence of diabetes demands immediate action. Governments should invest in preventive healthcare programmes, especially in regions where diabetes is often undiagnosed, to detect people at high risk early and help delay or avoid the onset of diabetes and its related complications. Speaking at the launch, IDF President Professor Peter Schwarz said: "The findings underscore an urgent need for bolder national and global action to tackle diabetes. With over 4 in every 10 people with diabetes not yet diagnosed, governments must prioritise screening, early diagnosis, and education. Addressing the rising tide of diabetes will demand collaboration across multiple sectors and disciplines. Governments, the healthcare sector, education, technology and the private sectors all have a role to play. The consequences of ignoring or not paying sufficient attention to the diabetes challenge are too significant. Inaction in the face of this pandemic is not an option." To explore the global, regional and national findings presented in the IDF Diabetes Atlas 11 th Edition, visit About the International Diabetes Federation The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of over 240 national diabetes associations in more than 160 countries and territories. Its mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent diabetes in those at risk. The IDF Diabetes Atlas is the authoritative resource on the global impact of diabetes. First published in 2000, it is produced by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in collaboration with a global committee of scientific experts. It contains statistics on diabetes prevalence, diabetes-related mortality and health expenditure at the global, regional and national levels. The 11th edition has been produced thanks to educational grants from Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and MSD.
