Relationship between random blood glucose levels and body mass index among rural adults in north central Nigeria

Abstract

Background
Obesity, usually assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI), has been identified as one of the risk factors for type 2 Diabetes mellitus. However, there are mixed reports on the relationship between blood glucose levels and BMI .
Objective
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between Random blood glucose levels and Body Mass Index among rural adults in North Central Nigeria.

Methods
We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study between February and May 2005. Seven hundred and fifty subjects who were ≥15years were sampled using systematic sampling technique. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Subjects were measured for height (m) and weight (kg); the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Blood samples of subjects were used for the estimation of blood glucose concentration using the glucose oxidase method of Trinder.

Results
The study population consisted of 385(51.3%) males and 365(48.7%) females (male: female= 1.05:1). The mean age of the study population was 39.42±16.17years while the mean ages of the males and female were 35.23±14.09years and 43.83±17.04years respectively (t=7.55, p<0.001). The mean  Random Plasma glucose level (RPGL) in the study subjects was 5.68(±2.16)mmol/L [males 5.69(±2.42)mmol/L and females 5.67(±1.86)mmol/L, t=0.11, P=0.91]. The mean BMI of the subjects was 23.86(±4.01)kg/m2   [males 23.19(±3.23)kg/m2 and females 24.56(±4.56)kg/m2, t=4.75, P<0.001].There was no relationship between  random blood glucose levels and BMI of study subjects(r=0.00, P=0.30).

Conclusion
We found no relationship between the levels of random blood glucose and Body Mass Index among the rural adult in the north central Nigeria. It seems BMI would not be a good predictor of Diabetes Mellitus among rural adults.