Type 5 Diabetes Emerges as a Growing Health Challenge in Africa

Type 5 diabetes, also called malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus, has been identified as a distinct health issue in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The condition is linked to chronic undernutrition and is now recognized as a unique form of diabetes by international health organizations.

The International Diabetes Federation classified malnutrition-related diabetes as Type 5 diabetes during the World Diabetes Congress held in Bangkok in 2025. This classification distinguishes it from other forms of diabetes, such as Type 1 and Type 2, due to its specific link to early-life nutritional deficiencies.

Type 5 diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiency resulting from underdeveloped pancreatic tissue caused by malnutrition during childhood. This form of diabetes primarily affects individuals who are thin and underweight, with a history of inadequate nutrition during early development.

In Uganda, findings from the 2023 STEPS Survey indicated that approximately 40% of diabetes cases were identified as Type 5. The affected population often includes those who experienced undernutrition in childhood, highlighting the impact of nutritional factors on diabetes prevalence in the region.

What the numbers show

• About 46% of people with diabetes in Africa are aware of their condition
• In 2021, diabetes caused over 416,100 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa
• There were an estimated 24.6 million adults living with diabetes in Africa in 2024

Awareness of diabetes status remains low across the African region, with only about 46% of individuals living with the condition knowing their diagnosis, according to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. This low rate of awareness increases the likelihood of severe health outcomes and mortality.

Diabetes mortality in Africa has reached levels comparable to other major diseases. In 2021, sub-Saharan Africa recorded more than 416,100 deaths from diabetes, a figure similar to deaths from HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, and only surpassed by malaria.

Treatment approaches for Type 5 diabetes differ from those used for other types. Standard insulin therapy is often less effective for these patients, who may benefit more from small doses of insulin combined with oral hypoglycemic medications and nutritional support.

The growing recognition of Type 5 diabetes highlights the importance of addressing undernutrition and improving early diagnosis in affected regions. Classification and research efforts continue to inform strategies for managing diabetes in low-resource settings.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.