Abstract

Objective: To quantify the risk for type 2 diabetes carried by body habitus measurements among remote living Australian Aborigines relative to the general Australian population (AusDiab).

Methods: Anthropometric measurements and diabetic status was assessed by standard procedures among Aborigines (n=1,456) and Australians aged 25+(n=11,247). Age adjusted odds ratios (OR) for diabetes among Aborigines relative to AusDiab participants were calculated by commonly used categories of body size measurements.

Results: OR (95% CI) for diabetes among normal, overweight and obese (by waist) Aboriginal females relative to AusDiab females were 2.6(0.6-11.5), 13.1(6.7-25.7) and 6.1(4.6-8.0) respectively. Among Aboriginal males relative to AusDiab males, they were 7.6(4.6-12.5), 7.6(4.3-13.4) and 5.2(3.4-8.0) respectively. Rates of diabetes were also excessive in Aborigines for each standard category of BMI.

Conclusions: Higher rates of diabetes even at normal and lower body habitus measurements among Aborigines suggest that strategies for prevention should expand beyond exclusive focus on diet and weight management.