INTRODUCTIONObesity is a major modifiable risk factor associated with most chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity, and its associated risk factors, among apparently healthy Chinese adults in a Malaysian suburban village.

METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study conducted among the Chinese residents in Seri Kembangan New Village, Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. Convenience sampling was used for the selection of participants. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure were measured. Fasting venous plasma was drawn for the measurement of fasting glucose level and lipid profile. Data on sociodemographic factors, dietary habits, physical activity, perceived stress level and sleep duration were collected using interviewer-administered, pretested and validated questionnaires.

RESULTSAmong the 258 Chinese residents (mean age 41.4 ± 10.0 years) recruited, the prevalence of obesity was 40%. The obese participants had significantly higher mean blood pressure, and triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose levels than the non-obese participants (p < 0.05). The obese participants also had a significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level than the non-obese participants. Logistic regression analysis showed that drinking soy milk (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.447; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.253-0.787; p < 0.05) and the perception that a balanced diet consists mainly of vegetables (adjusted OR 0.440; 95% CI 0.215-0.900; p < 0.05) were associated with a reduced risk of obesity. The risk of obesity was higher in younger participants (adjusted OR 2.714; 95% CI 1.225-6.011; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of obesity was high among the apparently healthy suburban Chinese. Our findings suggest that soy milk consumption and the perception that a balanced diet consists mainly of vegetables are associated with a lower risk of developing obesity in this population.

Adult ; Anthropometry ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; diagnosis ; China ; ethnology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Malaysia ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Soy Milk ; Suburban Population ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the associations among body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, and beta-cell function in Korean patients newly presenting with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In total, 132 patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus were investigated. A standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and the indices of insulin secretion and insulin resistance were calculated. RESULTS: A higher BMI was associated with higher homeostasis model assessment values for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA-beta), and insulinogenic index as well as lower levels of insulin sensitivity index composite (ISIcomp) and disposition index (DI). In multiple regression models, BMI had independent positive associations with HOMA-IR, ISIcomp, and HOMA-beta and inverse associations with the DI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that BMI had independent positive associations with indices of insulin resistance and an inverse association with beta-cell function adjusted for insulin resistance in Korean patients newly presenting with type 2 diabetes.
*Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biological Markers/blood ; Blood Glucose/metabolism ; *Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood/diagnosis/*ethnology/physiopathology ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin/blood ; Insulin Resistance/*ethnology ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/*metabolism ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The application of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for the diagnosis of diabetes is currently under extensive discussion. In this study, we explored the validity of using HbA1c as a screening and diagnostic test in Chinese subjects recruited in Nanjing, China. METHODS: In total, 497 subjects (361 men and 136 women) with fasting plasma glucose (PG) > or = 5.6 mmol/L were recruited to undergo the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HbA1c test. Plasma lipid, uric acid, and blood pressure were also measured. RESULTS: Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cutoff point of HbA1c related to diabetes diagnosed by the OGTT was 6.3%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 79.6% and 82.2%, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 0.92). A HbA1c level of 6.5% had a sensitivity and specificity of 62.7% and 93.5%, respectively. When comparing the HbA1c > or = 6.5% or OGTT methods for diagnosing diabetes, the former group had significantly higher HbA1c levels and lower levels of fasting and 2-hour PG than the latter group. No significant difference was observed in the other metabolism indexes between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HbA1c > or = 6.5% has reasonably good specificity for diagnosing diabetes in Chinese subjects, which is in concordance with the American Diabetes Association recommendations.
Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; *Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biological Markers/blood ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; China/epidemiology ; *Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/standards ; *Chromatography, Ion Exchange/standards ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood/*diagnosis/ethnology ; Fasting/blood ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test/standards ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/*analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening/*methods/standards ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Reference Standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity