Relationship between Body Mass Index, LDL Cholesterol, and Diabetes Control in Indigenous Populations

• Perugache Rosero, Christian Danilo ^[1]
  1. [1] IPS-Indígena Mallamas, Ipiales, Colombia. Endocrinology Resident Doctor, Fundación Universitaria Ciencias de la Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
• Localización: Universitas Medica, ISSN-e 2011-0839, ISSN 0041-9095, Nº. 66, 2025
• Idioma: inglés
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  • español

    Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects various populations and presents unique challenges due to factors such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations. Additionally, there is a lack of specific studies on Indigenous populations. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between BMI, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol concentrations with glycemic control in Indigenous patients with diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the MALLAMAS Indigenous Health Provider (IPS) from 2020 to 2024. Data on BMI, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed using descriptive techniques and logistic regression models. Results: Among the 609 Indigenous individuals analyzed, 38.95% were men. Each additional unit of BMI reduced the odds ratio for having HbA1c > 7% by 6.7% (OR = 0.933; 95% CI: 0.885-0.984). Patients with poorer glycemic control showed higher systolic (p = 0.0356) and diastolic (p = 0.0004) blood pressure levels. Uncontrolled hypertension significantly increased the odds of poor glycemic control (p = 0.022). No significant association was observed between LDL cholesterol and glycemic control. Conclusion: Uncontrolled hypertension and elevated BMI are associated with poorer diabetes control in this population; however, the lack of association between LDL cholesterol and glycemic control suggests the need to explore other contextual factors. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive and culturally sensitive diabetes management in Indigenous communities.

  • English

    Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects various populations and presents unique challenges due to factors such asbody mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations. Additionally, there is a lack of specific studies on Indigenous populations. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between BMI, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol concentrations with glycemic control in Indigenous patients with diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the MALLAMAS Indigenous Health Provider (IPS) from 2020 to 2024. Data on BMI, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed using descriptive techniques and logistic regression models. Results: Among the 609 Indigenous individuals analyzed, 38.95% were men.Each additional unit of BMI reduced the odds ratio for having HbA1c > 7% by 6.7% (OR = 0.933; 95% CI: 0.885-0.984). Patients withpoorer glycemic control showed higher systolic (p = 0.0356) and diastolic (p = 0.0004) blood pressure levels. Uncontrolled hypertension significantly increased the odds of poor glycemic control (p = 0.022). No significant association was observed between LDL cholesterol and glycemic control. Conclusion: Uncontrolled hypertension and elevated BMI are associated with poorer diabetes control in this population; however, the lack of association between LDL cholesterol and glycemic control suggests the need to explore other contextual factors. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive and culturally sensitive diabetes management in Indigenous communities.