OBESITY AS RISK FACTOR IN TYPE-2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN MIDDLE AGED WOMEN

Description

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a common chronic disease resulting from a complex inheritance-environment interaction along with other risk factors such as obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes and its complications constitute a major worldwide public health problem, affecting almost all populations in both developed and developing countries like India with high rates of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. Method: 110 women volunteers of age 35 to 55 years depending upon body mass index, were divided into five groups. Control (BMI; 25 kg / m2), Group I (BMI 25-29.9 kg / m2), Group II (BMI 30-34.9 kg / m2), Group III (BMI 35-39.9 kg / m2), Group IV (BMI > 40 kg / m2) were selected as subjects.  Their Body Mass Index, Waist - Hip circumference ratio (W/H), Fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile: serum triglycerides (TG), serum total cholesterol and HDL, VLDL cholesterol were assessed. Result: There is a close association between obesity and type 2 diabetes. The mean values of FBS, HDL, TG & VLDL are significantly higher in group I compared to controls. The mean values of W/H ratio, FBS, HDL, TG & VLDL are higher in group II, III and IV compared to controls. Conclusion: In the middle aged women obesity is the major factor which increases the risk for diabetes. Obesity plays a role by altering homeostasis of the body; it does this by bringing about the changes in the various parameters studied.KEYWORDS:  Middle aged women; Obesity; Type-2 diabetes mellitus.