English summary: PREVALENCE OF OBESITY, TYPE 2 DIABETES, AND OTHER DISTURBANCES IN GLUCOSE METABOLISM IN FINLAND - THE FIN-D2D SURVEY

Background: Type 2 diabetes is an increasingly common disease. The aim of this study was to assess the contemporary prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and impaired glucose regulation in Finland.

Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was performed during October 2004 and January 2005. A total of 4500 randomly selected subjects aged 45-74 years were invited to a health examination that included an oral glucose tolerance test.

Results: Participation rates in the study were 62% in men and 67% in women. The prevalence of obesity was 24% in men and 29% in women. In addition, 50% of men and 38% of women were overweight. 69% and 76% of men and women, respectively, fulfilled the criteria of central obesity. The prevalence of previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes was 7.4% in men and 4.3% in women. The total prevalence of type 2 diabetes, including both previously diagnosed and screen-detected diabetics, was 16% in men and 11% in women. The prevalence of abnormal glucose regulation was 42% in men and 33% in women.

Conclusions: Obesity, central obesity and disturbances in glucose metabolism are common in Finland. In addition to a population strategy for prevention, there is a need for the development and implementation of a high-risk approach on the prevention of type 2 diabetes in primary health care.