Development and validation of a sugar management and mental health wellbeing module for young adults: a preventive approach to diabetes

The rising prevalence of stress-related disorders and Type 2 diabetes among young adults in Malaysia highlights the urgent need for culturally tailored health interventions. Guided by the Design and Development Research (DDR) framework, this study aimed to develop and validate an educational module titled Dari Gula ke Minda: Menstabilkan Gula untuk Kesejahteraan Mental, designed to promote stress management and sugar regulation among Malaysian youth aged 18 to 39. The module integrates psychological coping strategies with nutrition education to address behavioural risk factors associated with chronic disease. Development was informed by evidence-based content and culturally relevant themes. Validation involved expert review using the Content Validity Index (CVI), yielding perfect scores for I-CVI, S-CVI/UA, and S-CVI/AVE (1.00), indicating unanimous agreement on item relevance and clarity. Understandability and actionability were assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), with scores of 95.3% and 92.7% respectively. Suitability was evaluated using the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM), which rated the module at 97.6%, classifying it as “superior.” Findings suggest that the Dari Gula ke Minda module is clear, actionable, and culturally appropriate for its target population. Future directions include broader user testing and longitudinal studies to evaluate behavioural outcomes. The module holds strong potential for integration into university wellness programmes and community health initiatives aimed at preventing diabetes and improving mental well-being among young adults.