Unjali P Gujral1,2, Mary Beth Weber3,4, Lisa R Staimez3,4, K M Venkat Narayan3,4,5. 1. Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Room 7040-L, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. unjali.gujral@emory.edu. 2. Emory Global Diabetes Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. unjali.gujral@emory.edu. 3. Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Room 7040-L, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. 4. Emory Global Diabetes Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. 5. School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Overweight and obesity are well-established risk factors for type 2 diabetes. However, a substantial number of individuals develop the disease at underweight or normal weight. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in non-overweight adults; pose questions about etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prognosis; and examine implications for prevention and treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: In population-based studies, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes ranged from 1.4-10.9%. However, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in individuals with BMI < 25 kg/m2 ranged from 1.4-8.8%. In countries from Asia and Africa, the proportion of individuals with diabetes who were underweight or normal weight ranged from 24 to 66%, which is considerably higher than the US proportion of 10%. Impairments in insulin secretion, in utero undernutrition, and epigenetic alterations to the genome may play a role in diabetes development in this subgroup. A substantial number of individuals with type 2 diabetes, particularly those with recent ancestry from Asia or Africa, are underweight or normal weight. Future research should consist of comprehensive studies of the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in non-overweight individuals; studies aimed at understanding gaps in the mechanisms, etiology, and pathophysiology of diabetes development in underweight or normal weight individuals; and trials assessing the effectiveness of interventions in this population.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Overweight and obesity are well-established risk factors for type 2 diabetes. However, a substantial number of individuals develop the disease at underweight or normal weight. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes in non-overweight adults; pose questions about etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and prognosis; and examine implications for prevention and treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: In population-based studies, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes ranged from 1.4-10.9%. However, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in individuals with BMI < 25 kg/m2 ranged from 1.4-8.8%. In countries from Asia and Africa, the proportion of individuals with diabetes who were underweight or normal weight ranged from 24 to 66%, which is considerably higher than the US proportion of 10%. Impairments in insulin secretion, in utero undernutrition, and epigenetic alterations to the genome may play a role in diabetes development in this subgroup. A substantial number of individuals with type 2 diabetes, particularly those with recent ancestry from Asia or Africa, are underweight or normal weight. Future research should consist of comprehensive studies of the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in non-overweight individuals; studies aimed at understanding gaps in the mechanisms, etiology, and pathophysiology of diabetes development in underweight or normal weight individuals; and trials assessing the effectiveness of interventions in this population.
Entities:
Keywords:
BMI; Normal weight; Type 2 diabetes; Underweight
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