Diabesity among the Yucatecan Maya. Metabolism, genotype, phenotype and considerations of the sociocultural environment and early development.

Diabesity is a neologism that we use to describe Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the context of obesity. In this descriptive review, we aim to analyze the phenomenon of diabesity in the context of the Yucatecan Maya population, given the demographic importance of this ethnic group in Mexico and due to the high prevalence of diabetes and obesity observed in this group. Firstly, we describe the phenotypic and genotypic traits associated with diabesity. We also discuss the role of the sociocultural factors that have impacted the dietary pattern of the Maya, the available evidence regarding the phenotypic characteristics acquired during the early stages of development, their possible repercussions on the metabolism and the presence of obesity and diabetes. Finally, we propose that the failure of insulin secretion and glucolipotoxicity are common factors and a possible unifying factor of diabesity within the Maya population. For this purpose, we draw upon primary sources of information, including original research articles, chapters from edited books about diabesity and sociohistorical essays on the Maya population.