Body Mass Index Cut-off Associated with Diabetes and Metabolic Abnormality in Indo-Guyanese Adults

Aim: To identify body mass index (BMI) cut-offs associated with diabetes and glucose abnormality (diabetes, pre-diabetes and borderline diabetes combined) among Indo-Guyanese adults in a U.S. urban community. Methods: Cross-sectional health survey data of Indo-Guyanese adults in Schenectady, NY were analyzed. Diagnosed diabetes and glucose abnormality were verified for its reporting accuracy and used as the outcome variables. Unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR) by BMI cut-offs of 1.0 kg/m2 increment. The adjusted models included age, sex, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and family history of diabetes. Results: The analysis sample (n=316) was 54.4% female with a mean age of 45.1 years. BMIs ranged from 16.9 kg/m2 to 45.2 kg/m2. Ninety-five (30.1%) and 15 (4.7%) participants reported diabetes and pre-diabetes/borderline diabetes respectively. PR for diabetes was highest at BMI 23.0 kg/m2 (unadjusted PR 3.34, 95% CI 1.68, 6.63; adjusted PR 1.83, 95% CI 1.01, 3.33). Similarly, PR for glucose abnormality was highest at BMI 23.0 kg/m2 (unadjusted PR 3.90, 95% CI 1.97, 7.71; adjusted PR 2.28. 95% CI 1.24, 4.17). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both diabetes and glucose abnormality were associated with BMI of 23.0 kg/m2 in Indo-Guyanese adults. These results were consistent with previously reported optimal BMI cut-offs for diabetes and pre-diabetes among various South Asian populations. Public health and medical professionals should be aware of the elevated likelihood of having diabetes or pre-diabetes among Indo-Guyanese adults whose BMIs are below the overweight range.