Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. The burden of
T2DM in both developed and developing countries has warranted much attention and strong
actions to mitigate this disease. In the past few decades, the global prevalence of T2DM has
dramatically increased. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 346 million
people in the world have diabetes, in which T2DM accounts for 90%. It is projected that deaths
from T2DM will double from 2005 to 2030, and 80% of the mortality will occur in low and
middle-income countries.
While T2DM is the fastest growing chronic disease, Asia has the largest number of cases, and
the prevalence of T2DM in Vietnam has increased twofold from 2.7% in 2002 to 5.4% in 2012.
Therefore, it is important to investigate whether physical activity and certain components of
the traditional Vietnamese diet can offer some protection against this disease. Epidemiologic
research on protective factors, together with understanding the disease mechanism, will provide
an opportunity for early detection, management, control and treatment by implementing
effective interventions based on the identified factors in a timely manner. However, little
information is currently available on the protective and modifiable lifestyle factors in Vietnam.
A case-control study was conducted to investigate the risk factors of T2DM; especially, the
relationship between physical activity, tea and coffee consumption, and the risk of T2DM for
the Vietnamese population. These three protective factors are modifiable and can be promoted
to the population for better T2DM prevention and control. The present study represents the first
analytical assessment of these three factors with regard to T2DM in Vietnam. The findings
provide epidemiological evidence for better understanding, control and prevention of T2DM
in this developing country