Multi-Metric Assessment of Obesity Prevalence And Association with Metabolic Syndrome In Type 2 Diabetes: A Tertiary Hospital Experience

Abstract Introduction Obesity is a metabolic disorder characterized by a complex interplay of genetic predisposition as well as socioeconomic and behavioral influences. This study aims to understand how anthropometric measures predict the risk of metabolic syndrome among individuals with Type 2 DM using BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio. Methodology The retrospective cross-sectional study used medical records of 202 patients being managed for Type 2 DM at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital endocrine clinic within the study period of 3 months. The chi-square test and simple logistic regression were used to explore the association between variables. Results The prevalence of obesity was 77 (38.1%) based on BMI, 139 (68.8%) after waist circumference measurement, 187 (92.6%) Waist to Hip Ratio and 194 (96.0%) Waist to Height Ratio. The differences observed were statistically significant (p = <2.2e-16). Univariate logistic regression found individuals diagnosed more than 20 years before the onset of the study have significantly higher odds of obesity compared to those with a duration ≤ 5 years (OR = 4.21, 95% CI = 1.10 - 20.48, p = 0.04598). The likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome was notably elevated among individuals categorized as overweight or obese based on BMI [ OR = 2.48, 95% CI (1.17 - 5.35), p = 0.018729] , waist circumference, [ OR = 21.08, 95% CI (10.11 - 46.59), p = 4.16e-15] and Waist-to-hip ratio [ OR = 3.60, 95% CI (1.24 - 11.20), p = 0.0201]. However, no statistically significant association was observed using the Waist to Height Ratio. Conclusion Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio all provide valuable insights that capture different aspects of body fat distribution. However, BMI and waist circumference were the strongest predictors of metabolic syndrome in this population.