Overweight/obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes and its association with hypertension and other factors among rural adults (≥18 years) in India

Background: Non-communicable diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted in 10 Indian states using multi-stage random sampling procedures. Information was collected on socio-economic and demographic particulars, anthropometric measurements such as height, weight and waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure was measured. One day 24-h dietary recall was done for foods and nutrient intakes. Bivariate and multivariate step-wise logistic regression analyses was done. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity among rural adults was 23.4 % (95 % CI: 22.9–23.9), while age adjusted prevalence of pre-diabetes was 8.4 % (95 % CI: 8.1–8.7) and diabetes was 6.8, (95 % CI 6.7–7.1), respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was lowest in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha (3–4%) and higher in Kerala and Tamil Nadu (12–15 %). The odds of diabetes was 5.5 times more among elderly, 1.3 times higher among Christians and among high income groups, and 2 times among overweight (CI: 1.50–2.50), obese (CI: 1.61–2.76) and abdominal obesity (OR; 1.57; CI: 1.29–1.91) and 1.6 times more among hypertensives. The odds of diabetes were high among those consuming the lower tertiles of carbohydrates, pulses, milk and milk products and folic acid. Conclusion: the age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes was 6.8 % and 8.4 % respectively and the odds of diabetes was high among elderly, among high socio-economic groups, overweight/obese subjects and among hypertensives. Also, knowledge about symptoms of diabetes was low. There is a need to improve awareness for early diagnosis and treatment for control of diabetes and hypertension.