Prediabetes and Diabetes in Predominately Hispanic College Students

Abstract

Due to the high rate of adult-onset type 2 diabetes in South Texas, the purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes among college age students 18-30 years old between colleges at a predominantly Hispanic institution. De-identified blood biomarker data was quantitatively analyzed and compared with the American Diabetes Association(ADA) prediabetes and diabetes 2015 criteria. The significance of this research targets a young population where early intervention would be most effective. De-identified blood biomarkers such as fasting glucose levels and hemoglobin HgA1c levels, along with BMI were analyzed. These results were organized by genders and colleges across campus. This research was reviewed and approved by the university Institutional Review Board. Results for males(n=68) measured fasting glucose (96.25±27.52mg/dL), HgA1c levels(5.772±1.050%), as well as BMI(32.41±9.302). Data for females(n=152) measured fasting glucose(92.56±27.23mg/dL), HgA1c(5.744±0.922%), and BMI (32.72±9.060). Students across genders and colleges on campus at a predominantly Hispanic institution were below the blood biomarker levels that define diabetes. However, students are at risk for prediabetes according to the 2015 ADA prediabetes HgA1c criteria. Results indicated that 5 out of the 7 colleges on campus were prediabetic according to the HgA1c levels reported. This is a significant finding and suggests that an early surveillance mechanism is recommended for the Hispanic college age population in South Texas.