Diabetes and obesity in adult Saudi population

Abstract

In this series of studies, three issues were addressed. First, the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes (high fasting blood glucose with no prior diagnosis of diabetes) and how different they are from the diagnosed diabetes in risk factors. Second, the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity were described in the general population. Finally, an evaluation of the relationship between obesity and type 2 diabetes were made in Saudi adult men and women. Our study population came from a national cross sectional survey which included 3271 males and females, age 30-70 years old. All participants completed a specifically designed questionnaire, and a comprehensive physical examination which included blood pressure and anthropometric measurements. Fasting serum samples were analyzed for glucose and blood lipids. A number of compelling findings have resulted from this research. First, the prevalence of diabetes is high with 30% of men and 25% of women diabetics. Undiagnosed diabetes presents a substantial problem; they constitute 41% of the total diabetic population and 11% of the total population. Undiagnosed diabetics are however, similar to diagnosed diabetes with uncontrolled fasting blood glucose level and many of the associated risk factors. Second, the prevalence of obesity is also high with 49.15% in women and 29.94% in men identified as obese and an additional 31.55% of females and 41.91% of males identified as overweight. Third, in this study population, 12% are obese diabetics and in the diabetic population 43% are obese diabetics. Diabetes appears to have a harmful effect on blood lipids, which seem to worsen when diabetes is combined with obesity. Based on these findings, obesity and diabetes appear to have created very serious complications and prevalent health problems in adult Saudi population between the age of 30-70 years old. Because about half of the population are under 18 years old, there is a very good chance for the government to successfully implement education and health programs to prevent and control these two conditions from becoming an epidemic in future generations.