The International Diabetes Federation has officially recognized Type 5 diabetes as a distinct condition. This recognition adds to the growing list of forms under the diabetes umbrella. Despite the familiar numbering system, diabetes is far from a single disease. There are more than a dozen types. Each type has different causes and treatments.
This new classification highlights the urgent need for tailored care, particularly in low-income countries where malnutrition-related diabetes is more common.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 occurs when the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It can develop at any age and is not linked to diet or lifestyle.
- Cause: Autoimmune reaction, often triggered by genetic and environmental factors.
- Treatment: Lifelong insulin therapy via injections or pumps. Some patients now benefit from donor or stem-cell-derived transplants, though these require immune-suppressing drugs.
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form, Type 2 diabetes, is often associated with higher body weight but can also affect people of normal weight with genetic risk.
- Risk groups: South Asians, African and Caribbean populations, and people with family history.
- Treatment: Lifestyle changes, weight management, and medications such as metformin or drugs that boost insulin sensitivity or production.
- Reversal: Intensive low-calorie diets have been shown to reverse the condition in some people.
Gestational Diabetes
This form develops during pregnancy, typically in the second trimester, due to hormonal changes.
- Risk factors:Overweight, older maternal age, family history, and certain ethnic backgrounds.
- Treatment: Diet, exercise, medication, or insulin therapy.
Rare and Genetic Forms
Several lesser-known forms include:
- Neonatal diabetes: Appears in infancy due to genetic changes affecting insulin release.
- Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY):A hereditary condition caused by single-gene mutations.
- Type 3c diabetes: Caused by pancreatic damage, such as from pancreatitis, surgery, or cancer.
- Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes: Affects about one-third of people with cystic fibrosis by age 40.
Type 5 Diabetes: Malnutrition-Related Diabetes
The newly recognized Type 5 diabetes is linked to poor nutrition during childhood, which stunts pancreatic development and reduces insulin-producing cell reserves.
- Global impact: Affects an estimated 20–25 million people worldwide, primarily in low-income regions.
- Cause: Inadequate protein and nutrition during early life, leading to smaller pancreas size and limited insulin capacity.
- Difference from Type 1: Unlike autoimmune Type 1, insulin deficiency here stems from underdeveloped pancreas function rather than immune attack.
Animal studies confirm that poor diets during pregnancy and adolescence impair pancreatic growth, increasing diabetes risk later in life.
Why This Matters
Diabetes is not one disease but a family of conditions that share high blood sugar as a symptom. Recognizing Type 5 diabetes shines a spotlight on malnutrition as a hidden driver of global diabetes burden and may lead to better screening, treatment, and policies in affected regions.
As science advances, so too does our classification of diabetes. With more precise definitions, healthcare providers can deliver treatments that truly fit the underlying cause—improving outcomes worldwide.
