IN adults, infrequent intake of vegetables, potty belly, urban living, physical inactivity, high socioeconomic status, urban living, being overweight, and family history raise Nigerians’ risk of developing diabetes, a study has said.
The study, a review of the prevalence and risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Nigeria, also reported that the South-South zone had the highest prevalence of diabetes (11.35%), while the North-central zone had the lowest diabetes prevalence (2.03%).
According to them, the regional variation mirrors a similar finding for obesity and sedentary lifestyle, which are major risk factors for T2DM.
The review of 60 studies carried out between 1989 and 2024 and having 124,876 participants from different Nigerian geopolitical zones indicated that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Nigeria (7.0%) nearly doubled the 2019 International Diabetes Federation estimate (3.7%) and shows a 21.3% increase from the 2019 review.
The pooled T2DM prevalence of 7.0% obtained in this meta-analysis translates to 8.02 million Nigerians (1 in 14 adults) living with diabetes.
In the sub-analysis according to the states, Kaduna state had the highest pooled prevalence of T2DM, 2.01%; Akwa-Ibom, 11.0%, Kano, Lagos, and Rivers states had a pooled prevalence of 10% each, while Kwara state has the lowest prevalence of 1.20%.
The report, in Clinical Diabetes Endocrinology, said that family history (9.73), high socioeconomic status (6.72), physical inactivity (5.92), urban living (4.79), obesity (3.07), hypertension, infrequent vegetable consumption (2.68), and abdominal obesity (1.81) significantly increases likelihood of Nigerians developing diabetes.
According to the study, the single most important risk factor for T2DM in Nigeria is positive family history. People who have a family history of diabetes are at least nine times more likely to have the disease compared to those without a family history.
They declared, “Type 2 diabetes is largely associated with age, with people 45 years of age and older having a heightened chance of developing the disease. As people age, their ability to use insulin gradually decreases, leading to a steady reduction in insulin sensitivity.
“With the increasing urbanisation and sedentary lifestyle rates, addressing lifestyle factors, including nutrition and physical activity, is imperative.
“Diabetes can be prevented largely by encouraging public awareness campaigns about the value of healthy eating practices, decreased intake of processed foods, and increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Promoting regular physical activity with programs such as walking and cycling infrastructure upgrades and community-based exercise regimens can help counteract the growing trend of sedentary behaviour that increases the risk of diabetes.
“Furthermore, for the early identification and treatment of diabetes risk factors in Nigeria, expanding access to screening programs and healthcare facilities is essential. Improving the infrastructure of primary healthcare and educating medical staff on how to offer complete lifestyle modifications.”