The role of anthropometric indices in predicting comorbidities of obesity in a rural Egyptian population

Abstract

Obesity is associated with higher prevalence of type2 diabetes and hypertension. Objectives were determining prevalence of obesity, type2 diabetes and hypertension in a rural village. This cross sectional study included 1,000 male and female ≥ 20 years. Blood pressure, anthropometry, fasting and 2 hr post-prandial glucose were determined. Results showed 29.7% overweight and 45.6% obese. Visceral obesity, by waist circumference (WC), was 24.4% in males and 69.2% in females. Prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes was 5.7% and 9.6%, respectively, while hypertension was 32.1%. BMIcut-off diabetes predictors were 27.5-29.8 Kg/m² while hypertension predictors were 26.05–28.6 Kg/m². WCcut-off diabetes predictors were 93.5 cm in males and 97.5 cm for females, while for hypertension were 90.5 and 94.5 cm similarly. Logistic regression showed WC, age and family history of diabetes increasing risk of comorbidities. To conclude, obesity is associated with increased prevalence of type2 diabetes and hypertension thus we recommend introducing simple anthropometry for early detection of obesity and its' comorbidities.