Observations on heredity and obesity in the emergence of diabetes

Abstract

The 899 offspring of Natal Indian diabetic couples are compared with the general Indian population. Diabetes was present in 25% of offspring aged 40- 49 as against 14.7% of the general population. The ratio of offspring diabetics to population diabetics diminished with age, suggesting that the genetic influence affects mainly age of onset of diabetes. "Old" and "young" diabetic couples had a similar proportion of diabetic children. Another similar comparison could be made between an inbred Tamil Indian family in Cape Town and the general population of Cape Hindus. More young diabetics were obese than old diabetics, in 3 different racial groups and in both "clinic" and "survey" diabetics, whereas in the general population obesity is more common over age 40. Overweight may be a more important diabetes risk factor in young than in old people. © 1971 Springer-Verlag.