Characteristics of American Young Adults With Increased Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Eun Seok Cha, Emory University; Guillermo Umpierrez, Emory University; Kevin H. Kim, University of Pittsburgh; Morenike K. Bello, University of Pittsburgh; Sandra B Dunbar, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013
• Publisher: SAGE Publications (UK and US)
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 The Author(s)
• Final Published Version (URL): http://tde.sagepub.com/content/39/4/454.long
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Diabetes Educator
• ISSN: 0145-7217
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 454
• End Page: 463
• Grant/Funding Information: Also, the authors thank Dr Venkat Narayan, and KM for his mentoring of Dr Cha’s early career development training supported by the K01 award.; This study was supported by: Development of a Diabetes Prevention Program for Young Adults With Increased Risk for Type 2 Diabetes (K01NR012779-01) from the National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH 07/15/2011-06/30/2014, PI: E. S. Cha; University Research Committee and Atlanta Clinical & Translational Science Institute (ACTSI) collaborative grant; and Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute/National Institutes of Health grant UL1 RR025008 National Institutes of Health.
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Pathology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics of American young adults with increased risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Participants ages 18 to 29, overweight/obese, and sedentary were recruited from the metro Atlanta area in the United States. Variables included demographics, anthropometric and clinical variables, and physical activity. Of 107 participants, 3 participants had undiagnosed diabetes and 1 participant did not complete the modifiable activity questionnaire. Thus, 103 young adults remained for the final data analysis. Results Most participants were females and African Americans. About 30% of participants had prediabetes, either impaired fasting glucose, an A1C of 5.7% to 6.4%, or both. Overall, prediabetes young adults were heavier and did less physical activity than Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) trial participants. In addition, these young adults had a higher prevalence of parental T2D history and lower level of physical activity compared to young adults with normoglycemia. Conclusions Physical activity and parent T2D history are key risk factors for identifying young adults with prediabetes. Multilevel strategies are necessary to raise awareness of diabetes risk and to prevent T2D in young adults.