CORRELATION OF FASTING BLOOD SUGAR WITH BMI IN YOUNG ADULTS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Body Mass Index, Fasting Blood Sugar, Young Adults, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Risk, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Anthropometry.
Abstract
Background
Younger populations are increasingly being impacted by the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, especially type 2 diabetes and obesity. While FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar) reflects glucose regulation and can indicate early insulin resistance, BMI (Body Mass Index) is a commonly used indicator of body fat and a predictor of metabolic risk. There is little research on young adults who may seem healthy but are at risk for developing metabolic disorders in the future, despite the fact that the association between BMI and FBS is well established in adults. Timely intervention and the avoidance of long-term health complications depend on the early detection of this association.
Aim
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between young adults' BMI and FBS levels.
Methods
Eighty young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 participated in a cross-sectional study. Convenience sampling was used to choose participants from a university environment. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated by taking anthropometric measurements, such as height and weight, according to established protocols. Venous blood samples obtained following an overnight fast of at least eight hours were used to measure fasting blood sugar levels. Participants were classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese based on their BMI values. The direction and strength of the relationship between BMI and FBS were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. SPSS was used for the statistical analysis, and p < 0.05 was chosen as the significance level.
Results
The participants' mean fasting blood sugar level was 92.4 ± 10.7 mg/dL, and their mean BMI was 24.3 ± 3.5 kg/m². Compared to participants with normal or lower BMI, those who were overweight or obese had higher FBS levels. A moderately positive correlation (r = 0.47), statistically significant (p < 0.001), was found between BMI and FBS. This suggests that FBS levels tend to rise in tandem with an increase in BMI.
Conclusion
According to the study, young adults' fasting blood sugar levels and BMI significantly correlated, indicating that those with higher BMIs are more likely to have impaired glucose metabolism. For lifestyle changes to be implemented and type 2 diabetes and other related metabolic disorders to be prevented, early detection of metabolic changes in this age group is crucial. In order to lower future health risks, young adults can benefit from routine BMI and FBS screening.
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Ms. Shaila M.D.
Tutor, Department of Physiology, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, India
Ms. Iffath Uzma
Tutor, Department of Biochemistry, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, India
Ms. Thejaswini
Tutor, Department of Biochemistry, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India
Dr. Nandini S.
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India