Examining gender, BMI, and lifestyle factors as indicators of type 2 diabetes risk in the Ukrainian population

Abstract

Purpose: Despite significant advances in diabetes understanding and management, it remains a major global public health challenge. This study examines the influence of gender, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle factors on developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the Ukrainian population. By exploring these key risk factors, the study aims to enhance understanding of T2D determinants and contribute to targeted prevention strategies in Ukraine. Methods: This current analysis uses cross-sectional secondary data from 12,092 individuals who visited medical mobile teams (MMTs) in four Ukrainian regions (Lviv, Rivne, Dnipro, and Poltava) between April 6 and August 8, 2023. Multiple logistic regression was employed to explore various risk factors associated with T2D. Results: The results suggest that overweight individuals were 3.02 times more likely to have T2D (Wald (1) = 233.10, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.62–3.48), while each unit increase in BMI raised the likelihood by 1.05-fold (Wald (1) = 56.26, p < 0.001). An unhealthy diet increased the risk by 1.29 times (Wald (1) = 13.99, p < 0.001). Women had 1.16 times higher T2D prevalence than men (Wald (1) = 3.93, p <0.05). Sedentary individuals were 16.1% less likely to have T2D (Wald (1) = 8.69, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study is significant in that self-perceived overweight status was found to be the most important risk factor associated with T2D prevalence. This provides important guidance for organisations seeking to support T2D diagnosis and management efforts in Ukraine and emphasises the need to recognise self-perceived overweight status as an important consideration.