A Revolutionary Discovery in Diabetes Research!

In a groundbreaking move, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has officially recognized a new type of diabetes—dubbed Type 5—which primarily affects lean, malnourished teens and young adults in low- and middle-income countries. This significant development is the result of relentless advocacy and research led by Dr. Meredith Hawkins, a prominent figure in diabetes research.

Malnutrition-Related Diabetes: The Hidden Epidemic

Historically overlooked and frequently misdiagnosed, malnutrition-related diabetes is a serious health issue that has been devastating communities around the world. Dr. Hawkins highlights the urgency of this recognition: "The IDF's acknowledgment is essential to raising awareness about a condition that is affecting millions."

Type 5: A New Perspective on Diabetes

While Type 2 diabetes, largely linked to obesity, predominantly drives diabetes statistics in developing nations, Dr. Hawkins points out a worrying trend: young individuals are increasingly being diagnosed with diabetes not from overeating but from undernourishment. It's estimated that Type 5 diabetes impacts 20 to 25 million people globally, primarily in Asia and Africa.

The Unusual Symptoms of Type 5

Doctors still grapple with how to treat patients diagnosed with this mysterious form of diabetes. Shockingly, many of these young patients do not survive more than a year after diagnosis. Dr. Hawkins recalls her initial encounters with this perplexing condition back in 2005 when doctors reported cases of patients appearing youthful and thin, suggesting Type 1 diabetes. Yet insulin treatments were ineffective, leading to dangerously low blood sugar levels.

A Game-Changing Discovery

In 2010, Dr. Hawkins launched the Global Diabetes Institute, aimed at revealing the metabolic anomalies behind malnutrition-related diabetes. A pivotal 2022 study unveiled that this condition fundamentally differs from both Type 1 and Type 2. Earlier theories linking it to insulin resistance have been overturned; instead, researchers discovered a significant defect in insulin secretion among patients, reshaping treatment approaches entirely.

International Collaboration for Change

In a monumental gathering held in early 2025, diabetes experts from around the world converged in India to tackle the classification and management of Type 5 diabetes. Their unanimous verdict? Malnutrition-related diabetes is indeed a separate category, a decision formally recognized at the IDF World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok later that year.

A New Era for Treatment and Awareness

In announcing this pivotal classification, IDF president Dr. Peter Schwarz declared the formation of a Type 5 diabetes working group, co-chaired by Dr. Hawkins. This group is charged with establishing formal diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols within the next two years. Dr. Hawkins emphasizes the urgency: "With malnutrition-related diabetes occurring more frequently than tuberculosis and nearly as common as HIV/AIDS, it is critical we have a proper name and framework for effective intervention and care."