Obesity, Leukocytes, and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Biomarkers Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in South Korean Adults

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), a chronic disease, is associated with obesity and inflammation. This study investigated the effects of body mass index (BMI), leukocytes, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Korean adults. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from 5,420 adults’ subject in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII-3, 2018) was performed. The collected data were analyzed by n (%), mean ± SD, t-test, χ2 -test, and multiple logistic regression methods. RESULTS: BMI and leukocytes count were higher in the T2DM-diagnosed group. The probability of T2DM increased by 4.76 times for obesity compared to normal weight, but high obesity was not an influencing factor for T2DM. As the leukocytes increased, the probability of T2DM increased by 1.15 times. However, hs-CRP was not an influencing factor for T2DM. Age was higher in the T2DM-diagnosed group and appeared to be an influencing factor in T2DM. CONCLUSION: Obesity and inflammation indicators, including WBC, appeared to be risk factors for T2DM. This study presented the basis of diet and exercise interventions for weight loss and white blood cell count in a T2DM prevention and management program.