Relationship between random blood sugar and body mass index in an African population

Background: Obesity is the most important modifiable risk factor in the pathogenesis of type-2 diabetes reported in most cross-sectional studies. However, racial factors seem to be important in the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and glucose intolerance. Methods: Three-hundred and seventeen subjects participated in the study. Mean age of subjects was 35.0 + 9.8 years (33.0 + 9.6 among females and 36.2 + 9.6 among males p= 0.1007). Results: Female subjects had significantly higher BMI than their male counterparts, (26.6 + 7.2 kg/m2 versus 24.0 + 5.4 kg/m2 p=0.0341). Random blood sugar levels were, however, similar between males and females (85.2 + 27.0 mg/dl versus 85.9 + 14.7 mg/dl, p=0.8868). There was a positive but non significant correlation between casual blood sugar and BMI among female subjects (r= +0.1520, p>0.05). In the males however, there was no correlation between these variables (r= -0.0395, p>0.5). Conclusion: BMI is higher among females in this community and correlates with random blood glucose levels. Concerted efforts need to be made to address the issue of weight in this community within the framework of what is culturally acceptable. (Int J Diabetes Metab 14:144-145, 2006)