DIABETES MELLITUS

 O b j e c t i v e : To estimate the prevalence of diabetes, high total cholesterol, obesity, smoking and physical activity in urbanpopulation of Faisalabad. R e s e a r c h d e s i g n and m e t h o d s : The project was limited to population based screening for above mentionedvariables using WHO criteria. Study was conducted by holding numerous screening camps in different urban areas over the course of two years.People age 20 years or above were included in the study. Total 5349 people, 58%males (3102) and 42% females (2247) were screened fordiabetes and high blood cholesterol. Body mass index was calculated by measuring height in meter square and weight in kilograms. Peoplewere interviewed for smoking and physical activity and relevant data was entered in the designed proforma. R e s u l t s : Within the chosen agerange, total prevalence of diabetes was 16% and among them 11 % were previously diagnosed and 5% were unaware of their diabetes (newlydiagnosed). Cholesterol was high (>200 mg/dl) in 48 % males and 34% females. 9.2 % of the males were found to be obese (BMI>30) incomparison to 14.3 % of females whereas 36.26% of males and 36.84 % of females were overweight (BMI > 25 to 29.9 kg/m2). The prevalenceof smoking was 38.8% in males and 1.2 % in females respectively. In daily routines only 6.8 % of the males were doing the physical exercise(30 minutes exercise five days a week or equivalent) whereas among females it was 1.9 %. C o n c l u s i o n : Diabetes and metabolic syndromein adults is now a global health problem, and the population of developing countries like Pakistan are facing this menace especially in the urbanareas where it is on the rise with each passing day.