Study of Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in Overweight and Obese People

CONTEXT: In recent years, there has been a marked change in life-style of South Asian countries caused by economic growth, affluence, urbanization and dietary westernization. Few studies on the prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes in the Indian population have been reported. However, there has been scarce literature on the study of prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and Hypertension in overweight and obese people in India with criteria suggested by World Health Organization (WHO) for Asians. Information on such public health issues would provide evidence based data to develop guidelines and policies on this subject. AIM: The aim of this article is to determine the prevalence of hypertension and type 2 DM in overweight and obese people. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study consisted of people selected from the out-patient department and indoors of a large defense hospital in a semi urban area of Assam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with overweight and obesity, reporting for consultation and medical examination were taken into the study. The data collected was analyzed using the criteria for overweight, obesity, diabetes and hypertension defined by WHO, Joint National Committee VII and International Diabetes Federation, American Diabetes Association. A descriptive statistical analysis has been carried out in the study. RESULTS: A total of 300 people were the subject population of this study. Among the subject population, there were 97 overweight and 203 obese. The 56 subjects were found to be diabetic. The prevalence of type 2 DM in overweight subjects was 15.5% and in obese was 20.2% and overall was 18.7%. Prevalence of hypertension in the overweight population was 8.2% and in obese was 22.2% and overall found to be 17.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of type 2 DM, hypertension in the obese group of the study population were found to be 20.2%, 22.2% and in the overweight population were 15.5% and 8.2%, respectively. This indicates that the prevalence of type 2 DM and hypertension increases with increasing weight of the individuals. The prevalence of type 2 DM and hypertension were relatively higher compared with other studies in India and abroad.