Association between Percentage of Body Fat in Normal Body Mass Index Subjects and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Iraqi Population: Case Control Study

Abstract

Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus development. For measurement of obesity, defined as an excess in fat of the body, body mass index (BMI) is usually used, but this measure underestimates obesity prevalence. We performed a case control study including 558 known diabetic subjects who were on oral hypoglycemic drugs and 2175 matched control group. BMI and body fat percent were determined by bioelectrical impedance (In-body 370). Age, Gender and body mass index show no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). Odds ratio for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus among high percentage body fat was 2.72 (95% CI 2.21-3.35), so we conclude that excess body fat even with normal body mass index had about 2.7 times risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus development.