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Longitudinal study shows increasing obesity and hyperglycemia in micronesia
David Murdock1, Jacqueline Salit, Markus Stoffel
1Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|February 14, 2013
Summary
Obesity and hyperglycemia rates dramatically increased in Kosrae, highlighting urgent public health concerns. This study documents significant metabolic health declines in the indigenous population over a seven-year period.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic health
- Epidemiology
- Indigenous health
Background:
- Indigenous populations exposed to Western lifestyles face high rates of obesity and diabetes.
- The Micronesian island of Kosrae is experiencing significant health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension in Kosrae.
- To assess changes in these metabolic traits over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal metabolic screenings of adult Kosraens (age ≥ 20) in 1994 and 2001.
- Inclusion of approximately 80% of the adult population (3,106 individuals).
- Diagnosis of diabetes using World Health Organization guidelines; assessment of obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.
Main Results:
- Age-adjusted diabetes prevalence rose from 14% to 21%.
- Significant increases in obesity (45% to 62%) and hyperglycemia (19% to 44%), particularly among young Kosraens and women.
- High prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (80%), with relatively normal triglyceride levels.
Conclusions:
- A dramatic increase in obesity and hyperglycemia observed in Kosrae within a 7-year period.
- These findings indicate substantially increased future health risks for the region.
- Urgent public health interventions are needed to address the escalating metabolic disease burden.
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