Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), has emerged as one of the most significant global public health challenges of the 21st century. As of 2021, an estimated 537 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes, and this number is projected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The rapid urbanization of developing nations, increasing prevalence of obesity, and the complex interplay of genetic predisposition has contributed immensely to this escalating burden. Urban lifestyles, characterized by sedentary behavior, dietary transitions, and environmental stressors, play a pivotal role in diabetes onset. Obesity, especially central adiposity, has been identified as the strongest modifiable risk factor for T2DM. Furthermore, genetic susceptibility, influenced by ethnicity and family history, modulates individual risk and may explain population differences in prevalence and severity. This review aims to scrutinize the multifactorial nature of the diabetes epidemic, focusing on the intersection of urbanization, obesity, and genetic factors, while providing a comprehensive overview of the current epidemiological landscape, emerging trends, and global disparities in disease burden.

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