Abstract
Background Youth must identify their diabetes risk factors because the disease is currently affecting young people at an epidemic rate. The Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) is a reliable and affordable method for determining a person's risk of developing diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the ability of the IDRS to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and investigate the relationship between diabetes risk and other variables in young medical students. Methodology In this cross-sectional analytical survey of a cohort of 670 undergraduate medical scholars over six months, a meticulously designed semi-structured questionnaire was administered. The questionnaire captured sociodemographic specifics, substance use habits (tobacco and alcohol), dietary patterns, and physical activity patterns in line with the WHO STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance and the IDRS tool. Results There was an equal proportion of males and females. The majority were in their second year of study. Overall, 5.2% of students reported tobacco use, while alcohol consumption was reported by 25.6% of the cohort. Furthermore, IDRS score insights revealed that 80.2% of the participants exhibited low diabetes risk, 18.9% were categorized as moderate risk, and 0.9% demonstrated high risk. Gender (adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.7) and tobacco usage (adjusted PR = 1.6 (1.1 to 2.2)) were found to be significantly associated with higher IDRS scores on multivariable analysis. Conclusions Illuminating the landscape of risk determinants among medical students in Chennai, this study accentuates the pressing need for bespoke interventions, underpinned by behavioral change theories. Such strategies can potentially catalyze healthier lifestyle shifts, shaping favorable public health trajectories in the foreseeable future.