Energetic determinants of glucose tolerance status in Jamaican adults

As type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), obesity and sedentary lifestyles are increasing in developing countries, this observational study investigated the role of physical activity on DM2 in Jamaica. Anthropometry, body composition ( by bioelectrical impedance analysis) and glucose tolerance status was assessed in 722 adults in 1993 and 1997. Energy expenditure was estimated in a subset using measured resting energy expenditure in combination with self-reported activity recalls. The rates of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were 23.7 and 27.3%, and DM2 were 16.3 and 23.7% among men and women, respectively. After adjusting for body composition, a one-unit increase in physical activity significantly reduced the odds of having diabetes ( OR = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.004, 0.66), but not IGT. Hence, decreased physical activity is a significant independent contributor to the high rates of glucose intolerance in Jamaica. Efforts must be directed at minimizing obesity and increasing physical activity in developing countries.