English summary: REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY AND GLUCOSE METABOLISM DISORDERS IN FINLAND
Background
Type 2 diabetes is a common disease and its prevalence is increasing. The aim of this study was to assess the current prevalence of obesity, diabetes and impaired glucose regulation in Finland.
Methods
A cross-sectional population-based survey was performed during the year 2007. A total of 10,248 randomly selected people aged 45-74 years were invited to a health examination that included an oral glucose tolerance test.
Results
Participation rates in the study were 58% in men and 64% in women. The prevalence of obesity and overweight (BMI >=25 kg/m2) was 70% in men and 63% in women. A total of 65% and 75% of men and women, respectively, fulfilled the criteria for central obesity. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 18% in men and 10% in women, two thirds of these having previously undetected disease. The prevalence of central obesity was lowest in Northern Ostrobothnia among men and in Northern Savo among women. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was lowest in Northern Karelia among men and in Northern Savo among women, whereas the prevalence of any abnormal glucose regulation was lowest in Northern Ostrobothnia among men and in Northern Karelia among women.
Conclusions
Obesity, central obesity and disturbances of glucose metabolism are common in Finland. In addition to wide interindividual variation, there are regional differences especially in the prevalence of central obesity. Screen-detected, previously unrecognised diabetes was very common in all the regions studied, emphasizing the importance of screening and early detection of type 2 diabetes, which should be carried out more intensively in primary and occupational health care.
