Risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus: An urban perspective

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is rising to an alarming epidemic level; hence, strategies formulated based on the risk factors can be helpful to curb the rising trend of the same. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus and correlate it with various risk factors and sociodemographic variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in randomly selected wards under the field practice area of Urban Health Training Center of Private Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra. A total of 425 subjects aged 20 years and above residing in the study area were screened for diabetes mellitus. Risk factors such as age, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), family history of diabetes, and physical activities were recorded. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus found in this study was 9.88%. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of diabetes as age increases (age 20–34 years: 1.66%, 35–49 years: 7.53%, ≥50 years: 15.66%, and P < 0.05). Furthermore, male gender, obesity, waist circumference, WHR, and diabetes mellitus were found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: Risk factors such as rising age, family history of diabetes mellitus, lack of physical activity, and central obesity were the most common factors found in diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, lifestyle changes and awareness regarding risk factors is needed to make control over the diabetes.