• The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has officially recognized Type 5 diabetes, a form affecting lean, malnourished young adults in low- and middle-income countries, as a distinct type of the disease.
• Characterized by malnutrition-induced low insulin production due to abnormally functioning pancreatic beta cells, Type 5 diabetes differs from Type 2 diabetes, where insulin resistance is the primary issue.
• Initially reported in 1955 and previously classified by the WHO as "malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus", the condition's official recognition follows recent research highlighting malnutrition's impact on pancreatic development and insulin function.
• Affecting an estimated 25 million people globally, Type 5 diabetes, prevalent in regions like India, shows no evidence of autoimmune or genetic causes and is associated with significantly low body mass index (BMI) and poor dietary intake.
• While specific diagnostic criteria and therapeutic guidelines are yet to be finalized, current treatment approaches involve a high-protein diet tailored to individual needs, with anti-diabetic medication or insulin considered based on glucose levels and response.