The Somali Diabetes Epidemic: Enhancing Provider Knowledge of Somali Dietary Practices to Improve Diabetes Prevention and Management

Work Type

Poster

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, resulting from a combination of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.

  • Insulin resistance is associated with lifestyle factors such as excessive caloric intake and sedentary lifestyle. Impaired insulin secretion, may have a genetic basis. Additionally chronic hyperglycemia due to poor lifestyle habits can contribute to progressive dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells.

In both the United States and the United Kingdom, individuals of Black African descent are approximately three times more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes compared to their white counterparts.²

According to a 2016 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of diabetes in Somalia was estimated to be as high as 5%. Additionally, the WHO classified 22% of the Somali population as overweight or obese.³ The lifetime risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes for a first-degree relative of an affected individual is five to ten times greater than that of age- and weight-matched individuals without a family history of the disease.¹

Purpose of the Study:

This research project aimed to examine the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus within the Somali population, assess the role of traditional Somali dietary habits in contributing to the condition, and explore the potential benefits of implementing a modified Somali diet to help mitigate its impact. Diet plays a crucial role in the Somali community, and understanding the traditional dietary patterns is essential for implementing effective dietary interventions.

Publication Date

5-19-2025

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