# Risk factors for diabetes in recently arrived migrants in Scania, Sweden compared to the general population

## TL;DR

The study found that recently arrived migrants in Scania, Sweden, have a higher rate of diabetes compared to the general population, with risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity playing a key role.

## Contribution

This study compares diabetes risk factors in recently arrived migrants versus the general population in Scania, Sweden, highlighting elevated prevalence and contributing factors.

## Key findings

- Self-reported diabetes prevalence was higher in migrants (6.9%) than in the general population (4.9%).
- High blood pressure, unhealthy weight, physical inactivity, and older age increased diabetes risk individually and cumulatively.
- Targeting specific risk factors can significantly reduce diabetes risk in high-risk groups.

## Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased worldwide, where the highest prevalence has been found in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Effective measures must be taken to prevent or delay the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and its complications. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between factors linked to risk for diabetes, individually and cumulatively, and established diabetes in recently arrived migrants from Iraq and Syria in Scania and compare it to the rest of the population.

A cross-sectional survey was used to compare data between a sample of recently arrived migrants and a sample from the rest of the population in Scania, Sweden.

The prevalence of self-reported diabetes was significantly higher among recently arrived migrants (6.9%) compared to the rest of the population (4.9%). High blood-pressure, unhealthy weight, physical inactivity, and older age increased the risk for self-reported diabetes solely but also cumulatively.

It is important to identify individuals with a high risk of diabetes and put preventive efforts into combating risk factors for diabetes. Targeting specific risk factors significantly reduces the risk of developing this disease.