Diabetes Risk in a Rural Community in Mexico: an Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: The rapid transition from rural to urban eating habits, sedentary lifestyles and poor access to healthcare put people at higher risk of getting diabetes. However, only a few studies focus on this phenomenon at the rural level. Understanding risks allow identifying problem areas and reversing the situation by using healthcare models in this population. This study is aimed to describe risk factors found in a rural community in Guanajuato. Material and Methods: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 164 individuals without diabetes, which was calculated using Epidat 3.1, 95% Confidence Interval and 3% accuracy. Type 2 diabetes risk assessment questionnaire was implemented. Results: 71% (117) of the population were women at an average age of 43; 85% of individuals were at a high risk for diabetes. The three main risk factors were 57.9% (95) were overweight and obese, 77.4% (127) had their waist circumference above suggested parameters and 75.6% (124) had a family history. As for gender, women were three times more likely to develop diabetes (p=