International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 3, Issue 2, pp: (643-652), Month: October 2015 - March 2016, Available at: www.researchpublish.com Page | 643 Research Publish Journals Quantifying Diabetes Risk and Identifying Contributing Factors Among Middle Aged Females in Minia District, Egypt Eman M. Mahfouz 1 , Nashwa N. Kamal 2 , Eman S. Mohammed 3 Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt Abstract: To quantify problem of DM-II, determine 10 years risk of DM-II occurrence (CANRISK) and to identify risk factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional community-based study was carried-out among peri-menopausal females in Bini-Hassan and Nazlet- Ebeed villages of El Minia district. A self- administered structured questionnaire was used, included socio-demographic data, family, gynecological and obstetric history. CANRISK, blood sugar, Body mass index and waist hip ratio were measured. Results: About one fourth of participants (25.4%) were diabetics by the blood sugar evaluation. Also, near half of participants had moderate risk of diabetes (46.8%) as evaluated by (CANRISK). A significant relation between blood sugar and special habits, anthropometric measurements and reproductive factors. Most important predictors of DM among participants were lack of physical activity, overweight and obesity. Conclusion: Sedentary life style, obesity, early menarche and early menopause were all factors contributing to diabetes occurrence. We need locally adapted diabetes screening risk questionnaire to be applied to female taking into account female reproductive factors. Keywords: Type II diabetes, Risk factors, Peri-menopausal females, El-Minia district. I. INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is a growing public health problem affecting people worldwide both in developing and developed countries, and poses a major socio-economic challenge. [1] In 2000, 171 million people were estimated to have diabetes around the world, and this figure is expected to rise to 366 million by 2030. [2] Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is very important in women since it is one of the most common chronic diseases in postmenopausal women and it is an underlying factor for cardiovascular diseases, which is the main cause of death in Western societies. [3] Family history is an important risk factor for developing T2DM. First-degree relatives of diabetic patients have long been known to have an increased risk of developing T2DM. Recent studies in genetic research have also identified the genetic variants linked with T2DM. [4:5] Family history of diabetes is also used as a predictor of T2DM in population-based screening programs. [6] However, about half of the risk of T2DM can be attributed to lifestyle, and half to genetics. .[7] Lifestyle modification is particularly effective in the prevention, or in the delay of the progression to diabetes among individuals with a family history of diabetes. However, the International Diabetic Federation [8] recommends that diabetes control programs should simultaneously promote lifestyle modification among high-risk individuals, as well as the entire population. Intake of dietary energy in excess of expenditure simply results in weight gain and increases the risk of T2DM. Physical inactivity has been identified as a risk factor of T2DM independently of its effects on body size, and dietary patterns. Physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity and duration decreases the risk of conversion of impaired glucose tolerance into diabetes even in the absence of significant weight loss, and independently of other risk factors. [8] Regular strenuous exercise (not the minimal activity of modern day life) is needed to reduce the risk of T2DM among