Doctors explain why diabetes is affecting younger people and how to spot the warning signs.
Dubai: Long hours at a desk, frequent takeaway meals, sugary drinks and a lack of physical activity could be increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes among younger UAE residents.
Doctors are increasingly identifying insulin resistance, prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes in people in their 20s and 30s, challenging the common perception that the condition primarily affects older adults.
According to the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas, around 1.27 million adults in the UAE were living with diabetes in 2024. This accounted for approximately one in six adults aged 20 to 79, with an age-adjusted prevalence of 20.7 per cent.
Specialists warn that the condition can develop silently over several years, leaving many people with elevated blood sugar levels without noticeable symptoms.
Risk starts early
Dr Yousef Said, medical director at Metabolic, said the growing prevalence of metabolic disorders among younger people was particularly concerning.
“What concerns us most is that Type 2 diabetes is no longer a condition we should associate only with older people,” Said told Gulf News.
Research involving more than 33,000 Emirati men aged 18 to 29 found that 4.7 per cent had diabetes, while 41.3 per cent had impaired fasting glucose. Another study of Emirati women aged 17 to 25 found that nearly one in four had prediabetes.
Said explained that insulin resistance can develop years before blood sugar levels rise enough to meet the diagnostic threshold for diabetes through standard testing.
“Being young, or having a normal weight, does not automatically mean being metabolically healthy.”
Said recommended looking beyond blood sugar levels when assessing metabolic health. Waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol, muscle mass and liver health can also offer important clues.
He also highlighted continuous glucose monitoring, which uses a wearable sensor to track how glucose levels respond to meals, sleep, stress and physical activity. While it does not replace laboratory tests for diagnosing diabetes, it can help individuals better understand their glucose patterns.
Citing the US Diabetes Prevention Programme, Said pointed out that people at high risk who lost around 7 per cent of their body weight and completed 150 minutes of exercise each week reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 58 per cent over approximately three years.
Make prevention a habit
Dr Ghaida Kaddaha, consultant endocrinologist at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, said changing lifestyle habits have made diabetes prevention an increasingly important priority among younger adults.
She identified prolonged sitting, frequent consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks, weight gain and genetic predisposition as key risk factors.
Rather than turning to drastic diets or short-lived fitness plans, she encouraged residents to make manageable changes to their everyday routines.
“Simple, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference,” Kaddaha said.
Choosing balanced meals with vegetables and whole grains, controlling portion sizes, cutting down on processed foods and staying physically active can all help reduce the risk.
In the UAE, she recommended making the most of the cooler months by walking outdoors, cycling and taking part in other physical activities. During hotter periods, residents can maintain their activity levels through indoor exercise.
Kaddaha also stressed that getting enough sleep and managing stress are important to maintaining long-term health. Her advice is to build sustainable routines rather than rely on short-term lifestyle changes.
Teenagers are also at risk
Dr Bhanu Malhotra, specialist endocrinologist at RAK Hospital, said Type 2 diabetes is increasingly affecting adolescents and teenagers, not just young adults.
She identified increased screen time, sedentary lifestyles, stress and smoking as contributing factors.
Malhotra advised people with a body mass index (BMI) above 25 to consider diabetes screening, particularly if they also have risk factors such as hypertension, abnormal cholesterol levels, heart disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or a history of gestational diabetes.
Warning signs can include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, unusual tiredness, blurred vision and recurrent infections.
For people already diagnosed with diabetes, Malhotra stressed the importance of maintaining good blood sugar control through appropriate medication and lifestyle changes.
“Optimising the macronutrient balance of meals, exercising for at least 45 minutes a day, five days a week, and practising mindfulness to support emotional wellbeing can help achieve good glycaemic control without compromising quality of life,” she said.
She also encouraged timely referrals to cardiologists, nephrologists and ophthalmologists to help detect complications affecting the heart, kidneys and eyes.
New medicines offer hope
Dr Darvin Vamadevandas, specialist endocrinologist at Prime Medical Centre Burjuman, highlighted how advances in diabetes medication are expanding treatment options for patients.
Newer medicines, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, can provide additional cardiovascular and kidney protection for suitable patients.
He stressed that treatment plans should be tailored to each patient’s individual health profile.
“Effective management involves regular glucose monitoring, healthy eating, physical activity, medication adherence and routine medical follow-ups,” Vamadevandas said.
For diabetes screening, Vamadevandas recommended HbA1c or fasting blood glucose tests from the age of 35, or earlier for people with additional risk factors. Those with prediabetes should generally be tested annually, while people with normal results can usually repeat screening every three years, depending on their individual risk profile.
He added that losing 5 to 7 per cent of body weight can significantly lower the risk of developing diabetes among overweight people with prediabetes.
For those already living with diabetes, regular glucose monitoring and medical follow-ups are essential. Routine examinations of the eyes, kidneys and feet are equally important in detecting and preventing complications.
Look beyond blood sugar
Dr Varsha Kachroo, specialist in endocrinology at Aster Clinic Qusais, said diabetes management should focus on protecting overall health rather than concentrating solely on blood sugar readings.
Patients should undergo regular assessments of their heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves, even when they feel perfectly healthy.
Treatment plans should also be tailored to individual needs, with newer medications offering additional cardiovascular and kidney benefits for suitable patients.
Kachroo stressed the importance of family support, particularly in helping people maintain healthier habits without feeling judged or restricted.
“Instead of policing what a person with diabetes eats or constantly reminding them about their sugar levels, families should encourage healthier habits together,” she said.
She also emphasised that fear, guilt or stigma should never prevent people from seeking medical help.
“Diabetes is not a personal failure,” she said, adding that early diagnosis, timely treatment and regular follow-ups could help prevent many complications.
For younger UAE residents, specialists have a clear message: do not wait for symptoms to appear before checking your health. Early screening and sustainable lifestyle changes can make a significant difference to long-term wellbeing.
