Diabetes mellitus is now among the ten leading causes of death in the Caribbean. Studies of the prevalence of dysglycaemic disorders and risk factors for diabetes are necessary in order to design and implement tailored prevention programmes. The present study is of a representative sample of the adult population in Guadeloupe. The estimated prevalence of diabetes is 5.8% in adults, and that of impaired glucose tolerance is 7.4%. The percentage of insulin-treated patients is low, 14% of diabetics. The principal risk factors of diabetes, as classically recognised, are shown to operate. At the individual level, the presence of a diabetic parent is a greater relative risk factor than obesity. However, considering the large percentage of persons who are obese, obesity seems to be the principal factor at which a primary prevention programme at the community level should be aimed, in order to limit the incidence of hyperglycaemic states.