Factors Associated with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Infants in Kuwait

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors associated with diabetes and its influence on the prevalence of diabetes in Kuwait. Methods: A questionnaire was designed to explore the relationships between various factors and diabetes in children. The survey included 300 mothers of children up to five years of age in Kuwait and the results were subjected to a two-way contingency table analysis. Results: Variables showing at least a medium effect and a linear relationship are herein reported. Increasing maternal age was found to be related to the increasing prevalence of type 1 diabetes. An association between a higher prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the mother and the child was found. Risk of having a child with diabetes increases with the maternal age. The consumption of fried food or fast food by a child was associated with a higher prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Sugar consumption, both by the mother during pregnancy and by the child, was associated with a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Heavy consumption of nuts by the child was associated with a higher prevalence of type 2. Conclusion: Genetics and environmental factors including diet may play important roles in the causation of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in Kuwait.