Gender differences in prevalence of diagnosed type 2 diabetes and patient’s body mass index in five Ukraine regions with diverse historical backgrounds

Analysis of territorial diabetes mellitus registers of 2 Western and 3 Eastern Ukraine regions with diverse historical backgrounds was performed. Two western regions (Kherson and Crimea) were severely affected by Famine of 1932-33, Chernihiv region was less severely affected area, and Western-Ukraine regions (Volyn and Rivne) were not affected. Prevalence rates of diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in women are higher than in men in all birth cohorts studied except for the oldest ones. The female-to-male predominance is more pronounced for people with T2D residing in Eastern Ukraine regions. Female (but not male) persons with T2D residing in Eastern Ukraine have higher body mass index than those residing in Western Ukraine. Female predominance among persons with T2D in Ukraine may be due to the fact that women are more likely than men to be influenced by adverse early-life conditions. Keywords: Body mass index; Developmental programming ; Gender differences ; Great Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33; Type 2 diabetes