Background: Diabetes prevalence estimation and reduction of its risk factors remain the major goals of health services. While obesity is the major risk factor for diabetes, body fat distribution may be a better predictor.
Aims: To estimate the prevalence of diabetes in an adult working population in Mexico City, and to evaluate the strength of association with different risk factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two city halls of Mexico City. Anthropometrics, blood pressure, physical activity, diet, and biochemical parameters were assessed. Diabetes was defined as a fasting plasma glucose level ≥7.0 mmol/l or referred diabetes. The bioelectrical impedance analysis of body components was performed and weight, soft lean mass, body fat percentage and abdominal fat were obtained. Prevalence with 95% confidence intervals was estimated, as well as odds ratios derived from a logistic regression model.
Results: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 11.0% (95% CI 9.6-12.4%). The proportion of individuals with diabetes who were unaware of having the disease was higher in women (42.5 vs. 36.9%), and the degree of metabolic control was better in women (39.1 vs. 25.0%). Age, blood pressure, triglycerides and the percentage of body fat, were major risk factors related to the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. No relation was observed with physical activity and diet.
Conclusions: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Mexico continues to be high and obesity measured by body fat percentage seems to be a better predictor of its occurrence than body mass index.
Keywords: Body fat distribution; Diabetes mellitus type 2; Hypertension; Prevalence; Risk factors; Triglycerides.
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