Abstract
Indroduction: Economic development and the associated lifestyle changes have led to a rise in prevalence of diabetes among adult population of Sri Lanka. A Similar lifestyle changes are observed among indigenous population (Vadda) population of Sri Lanka. However, there is limited data available regarding prevalence of diabetes among Vadda population in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) and obesity among rural indigenous Vedda population of Sri Lanka. Methods: A cluster sampling of 91 subjects above 18 years of age in an indigenous community were investigated. Fasting plasma glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, and abdominal circumference were measured and BMI were calculated. Results: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among Vadda population was 2.19% and IFG was 5.49 %. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among males were 15% and 2.5% and 19.6% and 3.9% among females. Prevalence of obesity and diabetes among Vadda population were very much lower compared to the general population of the country. However, almost one third of this population is below the BMI of 18.5kgm-2. Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity and diabetes among Vadda community is very much lower compared the rural population of Sri Lanka. However, underweight problem is still a concern.
Highlights
Obesity and the associated type 2 diabetes are two major global health problems
Prevalence of obesity and diabetes among Vadda population were very much lower compared to the general population of the country
The prevalence of obesity and diabetes among Vadda community is very much lower compared the rural population of Sri Lanka
Summary
Obesity and the associated type 2 diabetes are two major global health problems. The recent epidemiological data suggest that the incidence of diabetes is rising [1] and the south Asian countries have a very high incidence of type 2 diabetes [2]. Vadda is a common term used to describe the indigenous population of Sri Lanka This tribal community is believed to be related to pre historic communities of the country and have being living in Sri Lanka for a longer period than the current main communities such as Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. It is estimated that there are about 10, 000 Vaddas living in small clusters scattered over central and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. They have their own unique culture, language, religion and rituals. Their habitat is within or adjacent to forest areas of the country. They are traditionally hunter gatherers who lived on by hunting small animals, mainly deers and monkeys for food and gathering yams and honey from the forest
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