Dilip Pandurang Patil
BACKGROUND Global epidemic of obesity has highlighted the magnitude of the risk associated with this disease. Obesity is associated with risk of not only type 2 diabetes mellitus but other non-communicable diseases. Obesity is well documented and modifiable risk factor. Other diseases e.g. hypertension, diabetes etc., in presence of obesity have overall increased mortality. Both central and general obesity are associated with type 2 diabetes, central obesity being more commonly associated with T2DM. India is facing rapid surge of diabetes and obesity correlating with rapid economic growth in last few decades. Better glycaemic control is achieved with appropriate weight management. Non-expensive tool like body mass index and waist circumference are used to identify obesity. Detecting and addressing it will reduce morbidity and mortality along with reduction of socioeconomic burden of society. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective study was carried out in diabetes clinic in Karad Tahasil from Maharashtra. Patients attending from February 2015 to October 2018 were enrolled. There anthropometric measurements as height, weight, waist circumference were taken after their informed consent. Body mass index was used to decide general and waist circumference central obesity. Data analysis was done with t-test and Chi-square. RESULTS The results showed 48.5% males and 56.5% females were having general obesity (p=0.067), and 60.7% males and 82.3% females were having central obesity. Surprisingly our study shows 24.9% (25.8% males, 23.8% females) were diabetic in spite of normal BMI. Females outnumber males to have both general and central obesity. CONCLUSION Both general and central obesity are strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, females outnumbering males in both. Timely management of obesity will help for better glycaemic control, and reduction in mortality. Appropriate weight management in our health care is need of the hour.
