Abstract:

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus represents one of the most rapidly expanding non-communicable disease burdens of the twenty-first century, with young adults increasingly constituting a high-risk yet often under-served population cohort. The transition from adolescence into early adulthood is characterized by profound shifts in lifestyle autonomy, dietary patterns, physical activity norms, and psychosocial stressors, each of which independently and interactively modulates diabetes risk. Objectives: This narrative review critically synthesizes evidence published between 2020 and 2026 to identify the predominant risk factors for type 2 diabetes among young adults, examine the barriers that impede healthy behavioural practice in this population, and delineate the facilitators that support preventive health engagement. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar, and WHO IRIS databases was conducted using pre-defined MeSH and free-text search terms. Fifteen peer-reviewed studies meeting the inclusion criteria were appraised and synthesized thematically. Results: Key diabetes risk factors identified included sedentary behaviour, poor dietary quality characterized by high refined carbohydrate and sugar-sweetened beverage intake, obesity, family history, inadequate sleep, and psychological stress. Principal barriers to healthy behaviour encompassed low health literacy, poor self-efficacy, fatalistic illness perceptions, financial constraints, unsafe physical environments, social and cultural food norms, and limited healthcare access. Identified facilitators included peer and social support, digital health technologies, theory-based educational interventions, accessible campus wellness infrastructure, and culturally aligned health promotion strategies. Conclusion: A multifaceted, socio-ecologically informed approach is essential to effectively address diabetes risk among young adults. Nursing and public health practitioners must advocate for structural, educational, and community-level interventions that acknowledge the intersectional nature of this risk landscape, particularly in low- and middle-income country contexts such as Nigeria.