Association Between Different Obesity Patterns and the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Adults in Eastern China: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE: Obesity has become a public health challenge worldwide and can lead to the development of diabetes. However, studies examining the associations between different obesity patterns and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the associations between three obesity patterns and the risk of T2DM development in Eastern China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at our health examination center, involving 5860 adults, from June to December 2019. Data, including sociodemographic information, lifestyle, and biochemical measurements, were collected, and obesity was classified into three patterns: overweight and general obesity, abdominal obesity, and compound obesity. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the associations between different obesity patterns and T2DM risk after adjustment for confounding factors. Subgroup analysis was used to further explore the associations between obesity patterns and T2DM risk. RESULTS: A total of 5860 subjects were enrolled in this study. A significant difference in the T2DM incidence was observed between men and women with normal weight or overweight and general obesity (p < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed between men and women with abdominal obesity and compound obesity. After multivariable adjustment, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for T2DM in individuals with abdominal and compound obesity were 1.55 [1.08–2.24] and 1.85 [1.25–2.73], respectively, compared with the normal-weight group. Subgroup analysis showed that different obesity patterns were not independent risk factors for T2DM development among adults aged ≥ 60 years, whereas abdominal and compound obesity were highly associated with the risk of T2DM development among individuals who report current smoking or alcohol drinking. CONCLUSION: Abdominal obesity and compound obesity are risk factors for T2DM. More attention should be paid to obesity prevention among individuals younger than 60 years and improving control of cigarette and alcohol abuse.