Obesity and diabetes in an indigenous “Vadda” population of rural Sri Lanka

• Main Authors: C. Kande Vidanalage, D. Adhikariwatthage
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sri Lanka College of Endocrinologists 2016-08-01
• Series: Sri Lanka Journal of Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Subjects: indigenous population, vadda, diabetes mellitus, obesity, sri lanka
• Online Access: https://sjdem.sljol.info/articles/7309

<p><strong>Indroduction: </strong>Economic development and the associated lifestyle changes have led to a rise in prevalence of diabetes among adult population of Sri Lanka. A Similar lifestyle changes are observed among indigenous population (Vadda) population of Sri Lanka. However, there is limited data available regarding prevalence of diabetes among Vadda population in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) and obesity among rural indigenous Vedda population of Sri Lanka.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cluster sampling of 91 subjects above 18 years of age in an indigenous community were investigated. Fasting plasma glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, and abdominal circumference were measured and BMI were calculated.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among Vadda population was 2.19% and IFG was 5.49 %. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among males were 15% and 2.5% and 19.6% and 3.9% among females. Prevalence of obesity and diabetes among Vadda population were very much lower compared to the general population of the country. However, almost one third of this population is below the BMI of 18.5kgm-2.</p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The prevalence of obesity and diabetes among Vadda community is very much lower compared the rural population of Sri Lanka. However, underweight problem is still a concern.