Assessment of predisposition of diabetes mellitus among obese individuals in Enugu southeastern, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is an excessive accumulation of fats in fatty tissue to such an extent that it impairs health. It is a world health disorder associated with chronic low-grade systemic and local inflammation which possibly leads to the emergence of diabetes mellitus. This study assessed the predisposition of diabetes mellitus among obese individuals in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred participants(18-65 years) consisting of fifty obese subjects, as test group and fifty normal weight subjects, as control groups were recruited for this cross sectional study. Anthropometric parameters (waist circumference (WC), height, weight, blood pressure (BP)) were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Five milliliters of fasting and 2 hours after meal blood sample were collected from subjects, and used for the analysis of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2 hours postprandial (2HPP) blood glucose level respectively using colorimetric method. Data was analyzed and result expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Results: The results showed a significant increase (P< 0.05) in the mean ± SD of WC (103.53 ± 12.10, 78.64 ±7.8), SBP (130.44 ± 20.70, 108.96 ± 12.60), DBP (84.72 ±13.1, 72.32 ± 7.6), FBG (110.16 ± 15.38, 87.26 ± 9.12) and 2HPP (131.72 ± 20.24, 110.78 ± 11.97) in the test and control group respectively. A positive correlation (P < 0.05) exist in BMI vs WC, WC vs DBP, SBP vs DBP, DBP vs 2HPP and FBG vs 2HPP. A significant statistical difference in the predisposition rate in both FBG and 2HPP of test group (76%, 34%) and control group (10%, 0%) respectively was observed. Conclusion: This study suggests that Obesity predisposes an individual to increase blood glucose level.