Profile of Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus in Adult Female Population in North Sumatera, Indonesia

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become the leading causes of death globally, including Indonesia. This study is conducted to find out the distribution of obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) in adult female population in North Sumatera Utara, Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September 2016 on a total of 200 adult female respondents aged 20-65 years who agreed to participate in Langkat district and Medan city, North Sumatra. Criteria of obesity based on Body Mass Index (BMI), might be inappropriate for Asian population. DM was diagnosed if plasma glucose level is >200 mg/dl. The prevalence of obesity in female among aged ≥20 years were 68.5%. Subsequently, obesity and overweight categories of BMI are highest in the 41-50 year age group (35.5% and 20.5% respectively) as well as pre-DM and DM (24.5 and 11.5%, respectively). The age group of 41-50 years old have also the highest rates of obesity and overweight BMI categories as well as highest rate of DM in this research. In addition, more investigation is needed to establish a relationship between obesity and DM. Therefore, comprehensive strategies for the prevention and control of the problem of obesity and DM in adult female are urgently required.