Prevalence of Known Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Multiethnic Urban Youth in Edmonton: Findings From the WHY ACT NOW Project

Abstract Objectives The Canadian Diabetes Risk Assessment Questionnaire (CANRISK) is a validated, evidence-based, self-administered tool to assess the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in multiethnic Canadian adults. Identifying individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes allows early intervention that improves modifiable risk factors. This study examined the risk factors for type 2 diabetes in multiethnic urban youth in Edmonton, Alberta. Methods An interviewer-administered questionnaire was developed based on CANRISK variables, such as age, gender, ethnicity, family history of diabetes, medical history of high blood sugar or high blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, physical activity and dietary intake. Between October 2013 and March 2014, data were collected from a convenience sample of 557 (328 girls and 229 boys) multiethnic youth 11 to 23 years of age in 12 institutions in Edmonton, such as public schools, after-school programs and colleges. Results Participating youth (N=529) with self-identified ethnicity were included in the analyses: 109 Indigenous (20.6%); 96 African and Middle Eastern (18.1%); 129 Asian (24.4%); and 195 European (36.9%). More than 70% of the youth had 2 or more risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The participants were classified as low risk (75.6%; n=400); moderate risk (21.2%; n=112); or high risk (3.2%; n=17), with the highest proportion of moderate- and high-CANRISK score categories (52.7%) found in the Asian youth. Boys (p Conclusions Almost 25% of the participating multiethnic youth 11 to 23 years of age scored in the moderate or high category of CANRISK. The most prevalent risk factors were ethnicity, followed by physical inactivity, overweight or obesity and low fruit and vegetable consumption. A validated type 2 diabetes screening tool for youth as well as culturally appropriate, evidence-based and multidisciplinary diet and lifestyle interventions aiming to improve modifiable type 2 diabetes risk factors in multiethnic youth, particularly targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged and immigrant children and youth, should be developed, implemented and evaluated.