Prevelance of Obesity Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Primary Health Care in Qatar,AZZA A. ALMUJALI, AMEENA H. ALSHEHY, MOHAMAD SALEM and ABDULMAJEED AHMAD
Abstract
Introduction: Obesity is accompanied with diabetes as a risk factor and as an outcome. Studies on obesity in Qatar are very limited. The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of obesity among type 2 diabetic patients attending PHC centers in Qatar.
Methodology: It is a cross section study done in 4 health PHC centers (2 urban and 2 semi-urban). The sample was calculated to be 443 patients. By using simple random sam-pling, 2 urban and 2 semi urban centers were selected. One hundred diabetic type II patients were recruited from each center by using systematic random sampling technique (every 2nd patient registered in the diabetic clinics). Data were collected through structured questionnaire during patient interview in the patient education area, by a well trained nurse in the diabetic clinics. The same nurse completed the ques-tionnaire from the patient medical record (last investigations done including: Fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride, kidney and liver function tests). The diabetic nurse measured weight, height, blood pressure and waist circumference based on uniform methodology in the selected health centers. The normal waist circumference according to WHO, is 100-102cm for men and 88-90cm for women provided reference values to identify obese patient who are at high risk. Blood pressure was measured according to JNC 7 criteria. The collected data were entered to EPI-INFO statistical package from CDC for statistical analysis.
Results: According to WHO classification of obesity; over weight (BMI = 25 – 29.9) patients represented 31.2%, obese (BMI >30) 29.30%, morbid obesity (BMI >35) 10.4%, extreme obesity (>40) 10.4%. About 69% of the population has abdominal obesity with waist circumference more than WHO standards. All of the socio-demographic variables except age showed statistically significant difference between normal and abdominally obese diabetic patients based on waist circumference. Most of chronic diseases have no statistical significance difference regarding waist circumference. There are no statistical relations between diet history items like number of meals, eating sweets, snakes and some treatment lines as diet complains, using drugs, or surgery. Both of family history of DM and past history of childhood obesity are significant regarding abdominal obesity. Only using of sulfo-nylurea group of medicine has statistical significant difference
between patients with normal and patients with increased waist circumference. Obese diabetic patients have higher triglyceride levels than normal patients with statistical signif-icance difference.
Conclusion: These findings signify the importance of obesity control programs to decrease the bodyweight and improve the glycemic control.