[Survey on risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus at a higher education institution]

The increase in the population's life expectancy, the decrease in people's physical activity and the increase in calorie intake play an important role in the onset of diabetes. Therefore, this study aims at identifying risks factors for type-2 diabetes mellitus in 99 subjects from a teaching institution in a city in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil. The results enabled the conclusion that 51.5% of the subjects were overweight; 51.5% had hereditary antecedents, 70% did not do physical exercises regularly, 68% felt stressed at work and 6% had altered pressure levels. The results showed the need for an education program within the institution aiming at awaking in the subjects the need to look for healthy life styles in order to prevent risks factors for type-2 diabetes.