The Surge in Type 2 Diabetes Cases Among Young People: Risk Factors and Community-Based Prevention

The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among adolescents and young adults has risen sharply worldwide, posing a major public health concern. This study aimed to identify key risk factors and evaluate community-based prevention strategies targeting youth-onset T2DM. A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus, covering studies from January 2010 to June 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional analyses, and quasi-experimental designs focusing on individuals aged 10–25 years. Twenty-eight high- and moderate-quality studies were synthesized. Risk factors clustered into lifestyle-related behaviors (poor diet quality, excessive sugar-sweetened beverage intake, physical inactivity, prolonged screen time), biological determinants (family history, early-onset obesity, pubertal insulin resistance), and psychosocial/environmental influences (sleep deprivation, stress, socioeconomic disadvantage). School-based and family-centered interventions showed moderate improvements in BMI, fasting glucose, and HbA1c, particularly when culturally tailored and sustained for over one year. Community-wide programs yielded mixed results but were more effective when integrated across multiple settings. Findings highlight that effective prevention requires multi-level, long-term strategies addressing both individual behaviors and structural determinants. This review provides actionable insights for designing sustainable, community-anchored approaches to curb the rising burden of T2DM in young populations.