Malnutrition and Its Connection to a Unique Form of Diabetes Affecting Millions Worldwide
Malnutrition can cause a unique form of diabetes, commonly affecting underweight individuals in developing countries. Recognized as 'type 5 diabetes,' it highlights the need for improved nutritional programs worldwide to prevent and manage this condition.
Recent research highlights that malnutrition can lead to a new, distinct form of diabetes, which experts suggest should be recognized globally as 'type 5 diabetes.' This condition predominantly affects individuals in developing countries, particularly those who are underweight due to inadequate food intake. Unlike the well-known types 2 and 1, which are linked to obesity and insulin production issues respectively, type 5 diabetes is associated with undernutrition and malnutrition.
The condition has been observed in populations suffering from poverty and hunger, with over 25 million people estimated to be affected worldwide. Its recognition is crucial for addressing health disparities in vulnerable communities. Historically, a similar classification called "malnutrition-related diabetes" was proposed in the 1980s and 1990s by the World Health Organization, but it was abandoned due to disagreements among experts.
Current studies, including those from countries like Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, and Nigeria, support the existence of this malnutrition-driven diabetes form. The exact biological mechanisms linking malnutrition to diabetes remain unclear, and there is uncertainty about whether existing diabetes treatments are effective for type 5.
Prevention and management strategies focus on combating poverty and hunger, providing access to affordable, energy-rich staple foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates such as lentils, legumes, and fortified grains. This approach aims to reduce the prevalence of the disease by addressing its root causes.
This emerging understanding emphasizes the importance of global efforts to improve nutritional status, especially in impoverished regions, as a way to combat this malnutrition-linked diabetes. Recognizing and addressing type 5 diabetes could significantly impact millions living in conditions of chronic undernutrition.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-malnutrition-linked-distinct-diabetes-affecting.html
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