Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) within the adult population of Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and to assess the relationship between modifiable health behaviors, and the risk of developing T2DM.
Methods: This was a descriptive, observational cross-sectional study that investigated 401 adult participants to assess the relationship between lifestyle behavior and likelihood of developing T2DM in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an online survey using Google Forms.
Results: The prevalence of T2DM among the participants was 26.2%. The commonly reported physical exercises were walking (248, 87.0%) and running (81, 28.4%). Multivariate results found smoking [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.351-11.996; p < 0.001], age [AOR = 3.33; 95% CI = 2.408 4.613; p < 0.001], BMI [AOR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.799-4.192; p < 0.001], and physical inactivity [AOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.292-2.503; p < 0.001] were significant predictors of the risk of developing T2DM.
Conclusion: The study identified smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and advancing age as significant risk factors for the development of T2DM. The study highlighted the need for healthy lifestyle choices including regular physical exercise, proper dietary habits and smoking cessation for prevention of diabetes and improved health outcomes.

Key words: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, healthful behaviors, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia