Factors Affecting the Risk of Diabetes Development among Brazilian Residents in Japan

Abstract

This study aimed to uncover the risk of diabetes and its associated factors among Brazilian residents in Japan. An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among Brazilians living in Japan who were aged >40 years. The questionnaire collected data on the participants’ Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC), basic demographics, and health conditions. The analysis was based on the FINDRISC to assess factors affecting the risk of diabetes. Among the 181 participants (mean age, 52.9 years), 77 and 104 were men and women, respectively; 26 (14.3%) people were diagnosed with diabetes. The participants were categorized into high- and low-risk groups based on a FINDRISC value of ≥12 and ≤11, respectively. The high-risk group, 26 [17.7%] patients, contained a significantly higher proportion whose education level was less than elementary school, who were unable to speak Japanese, and whose diets contained little feijoa than the low-risk group. Feijoa is a local Brazilian bean dish that is low in fat and calories but contains high protein content, which helps prevent diabetes. Our findings suggest that increased health literacy is important for controlling chronic diseases, including diabetes.