Epidemiologic Studies of Serum Glucose Levels among Micronesians

Abstract

Data from epidemiologic studies of Chamorro and Palauan populations of Micronesia were analyzed for associations of serum glucose levels with other characteristics of the population. The frequency distribution patterns of serum glucose levels were similar to those reported for large United States populations, being unimodal and slightly skewed toward higher values. Analysis by geographic subgroups showed differences in age- and sex-specific mean serum glucose levels, and in prevalence ratios of hyperglycemia. The general tendency was for the higher values to occur among the subgroups living in the relatively modern areas, as indicated by measures of education, occupation, sociocultural attitudes, and nutritional intakes of a high fat “Western type” diet. Correlation analysis of individual characteristics indicated that serum glucose levels were positively associated with age, blood pressure, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and body weight. There was no consistent association with electrocardiogram abnormalities, an inventory of symptoms, cigarette use, or with sociocultural measures of education, occupation, traditional attitudes, and residential mobility. The over-all implication was that high serum glucose levels, high serum lipid levels and obesity were interrelated within these Micronesian populations.