UC Irvine

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), historically affecting primarily older individuals, now affects younger people. Few studies have analyzed diabetes risk factors among younger individuals, including college students. We investigated risk in that overlooked population. A 2-part diabetes risk assessment survey was administered to University of California Irvine (UCI) students, faculty, and staff for 2 months. Part I, including 26 questions, assessed participants' nutrition, physical activity, and stress management behaviors. Part II assessed risk according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) Risk Assessment's 8 demographic and lifestyle questions producing a risk score. Scores and behavioral factors analyzed risk on individual and community levels. Recruitment included emails and flyers promoting the UCI Electronic Educational Environment survey link. According to the ADA Risk Assessment scores of the 915 respondents, only 4% are at high risk of developing T2D. Although these scores indicate a small population at risk, our survey revealed a high prevalence of individuals practicing multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviors associated with diabetes. These multiple behaviors may lead to high percentages of college students developing T2D, despite current low ADA risk status. We conclude the ADA Risk Assessment is geared toward an older demographic and may reflect short-term risk rather than longer-term risks.