Type 5 Diabetes Recognised as a Distinct Disease by IDF

Why is this Significant?
For decades, a form of diabetes affecting lean and malnourished teenagers and young adults in low- and middle-income countries was neglected or misdiagnosed. Now, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has officially recognised it as “Type 5 Diabetes” — marking a crucial step in targeted research, diagnosis, and treatment.

What is Type 5 Diabetes?
▪️ Caused by malnutrition-induced reduction in insulin production
▪️ Affects the pancreatic beta cells, resulting in severely lowered insulin levels
▪️ No genetic or autoimmune basis
▪️ Common among those with BMI < 18.5, low body fat, and poor early-life nutrition

History:
▪️ First reported in 1955 (Jamaica, “J-type”)
▪️ Temporarily classified by WHO in 1985 as “malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus”
▪️ Reintroduced as Type 5 by IDF in April 2025

Treatment:
• High-protein, balanced diet
• Tailored use of anti-diabetic medication/insulin
• No standard therapy yet — guidelines expected in 2 years


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