Heather JA Foulds, Shannon SD Bredin and Darren ER Warburton
The relationship between diabetes and obesity, major contributors to cardiovascular disease, varies with ethnicity; however, only limited information is available regarding Aboriginal and South Asian populations.
Objective: This investigation aimed to identify and compare the relationship between diabetes and dysglycemia, and obesity across several ethnicities.
Methods: White (n=3593), Aboriginal (n=999), East Asian (n=448), and South Asian (n=222) adults were measured directly for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Individuals were identified for diabetes and dysglycemia through reported diagnosis, measured random blood glucose and A1C values. The risk ratios of diabetes and dysglycemia were compared across measures of BMI and waist circumference.
Results: Across all ethnic groups, individuals with greater BMI and waist circumference demonstrated greater risk ratios for diabetes and dysglycemia. Aboriginal and South Asian individuals demonstrated greater risks for diabetes relative to White adults regardless of age, gender, physical activity and body composition. Risks for dysglycemia were greater among East and South Asian adults regardless of covariates, while the increased risk among Aboriginal adults appears to be mediated by waist circumference.
Conclusions: Overall, increased risks of diabetes and dysglycemia were observed across all ethnic groups with increased body composition measures.