The prevalence of prediabetes, diabetes, and insulin resistance among urban obese children of south Andhra Pradesh in India

Abstract

Obesity is increasing rapidly in developing countries undergoing rapid nutrition and lifestyle transition. Obesity and associated insulin resistance are considered the main risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, regardless of genetic predisposition. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of prediabetes (impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)), diabetes, and insulin resistance in obese children/adolescents. In this prospective study, a total of 224 obese children/adolescents were recruited. All patients underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with blood samples at 0 and 2 h. Fasting insulin and lipid profiles were also estimated in each case. The prevalence of IFG, IGT, and type 2 DM in obese children was found to be 8.33 % (6/72), 9.72 % (7/72), and 1.38 % (1/72), respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of IFG, IGT, and type 2 DM in obese adolescents was found to be 9.86 % (15/152), 15.78 % (24/152), and 1.97 % (3/152), respectively. The prevalence of insulin resistance in obese children was 33.33 % (24/72) and adolescents was 47.36 (72/152). Also, 2-h plasma glucose (P = 0.014) was significantly elevated in the insulin-resistant group compared to the group without insulin resistance in obese children/adolescents. IGT and insulin resistance are highly prevalent in obese children/adolescents. Therefore, obese children/adolescents are more prone to prediabetes and type 2 DM is to be screened by OGTT.