Prevalence and Factors Influencing Diabesity among Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Urban Puducherry: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Background: The risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) increase exponentially when type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity coexist.

Objective: To estimate the proportion of people with diabesity and assess the sociodemographic, dietary, and morbidity related factors associated with diabesity.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 2018 among persons with T2DM attending an urban Primary Health Centre in Puducherry using a structured questionnaire.

Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of 151 study participants was 58.2 (11.8) years with 66% (n = 100), 77% (n = 116) and 40% (n = 60) being females, sedentary workers and belonging to lower socioeconomic status, respectively. Of total, 71% (n = 107) had hypertension, 66% (n = 99) had uncontrolled fasting blood sugar (FBS) level and 74% (n = 111) did not consume fruits daily. The proportion of diabesity was found to be 66.9% (95% CI 58.8-74.3). After adjusting for other factors, obesity was significantly high among T2DM patients aged 50 years and less (adjusted prevalence ratio- (aPR) 1.4; (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.83) compared to >60 years. Having uncontrolled FBS values (aPR 1.28; [95% CI: 1.01-1.64]), deficient in calorie intake (aPR 1.66; [95% CI: 1.25-2.22]), deficient in fruits intake (aPR 1.45; [95% CI: 1.07-1.97]), and high fat consumption (aPR 1.26; [95% CI: 1.02-1.57]) had significant association with diabesity.

Conclusion: Considering the rising burden of diabetes associated with obesity, vigilant strategy to reduce modifiable risk factors for CVD needs further emphasis at primary care settings.