Association of BMI and incidence of type 2 diabetes in Saudi population

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe study aims to identify the optimal body mass index (BMI) cut‐off for obesity based on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among the general population visiting primary health care in Saudi Arabia.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in Al‐Ahsa City, Saudi Arabia, from January to June 2022. The study included Saudi citizens aged 35 and older who had not previously or currently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected through electronic health records from 48 primary healthcare centers. The variables derived from medical records were age, gender, HbA1c, weight, and height.ResultsThe BMI mean among nondiabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic groups were 29.6 ± 6.2, 31.2 ± 6.6, and 31.7 ± 6.9 kg/m2, respectively. The BMI of the prediabetic and diabetic males were 30.1 ± 6.3 and 30.5 ± 6.5 kg/m2, respectively, and the BMI of the pre‐diabetic and diabetic females were 31.9 ± 6.6 and 32.8 ± 7 kg/m2, respectively.ConclusionThe current study correlated the result of HbA1c levels with BMI cut‐off values as a modifiable risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes among the Al‐Ahsa population in Saudi Arabia. The BMI mean among nondiabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic groups were 29.6 ± 6.2, 31.2 ± 6.6, and 31.7 ± 6.9 kg/m2, respectively. This study provided a list of BMI values as cut‐off points with their sensitivity and specificity measures so the policymaker could utilize them. The best cut‐off point could be decided based on cost‐effective analysis. Further studies in the future might help evaluate the efficacy of screening programs and the association between BMI and other types of diabetes.