Prevalence of modifiable risk factors associated with diabetes in indian adolescents and young adults: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: This was a cross sectional study to understand the prevalence of modifiable risk factors of diabetes among adolescents and young adults in India. Materials and Methods: The pilot study was carried out using a questionnaire based survey. A literature review was performed to explore the common risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a self administered questionnaire was developed and validated. The snowball sampling method was applied and the questionnaire was sent through E mails, social networking sites, and applications. Results: A total of 317 young adults and adolescents, aged between 16 and 25 years, across eight different states of India completed the survey. Among the various risk factors, 64.04% had normal healthy sleeping hours of 6–8 h, and 71.61% happy with the sleep quality. Only 23.08% skipped breakfast more than three times a week and 40.69% reported to consume whole grains every day. About 68.46% had little or no stress. The major concern was the low of physical activity (>150 min/week) and inadequate fruit intake (>1 serving a day) among 75.1% and 81.07% of respondents, respectively. Conclusion: Low physical activity and inadequate fruit intake are the important risk factors prevalent in the given age group.