title: Prevalence of diabetes is higher among female than male Zuni indians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Test the hypothesis that diabetes and related risk factors are more common among female than male Zuni Indians.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey of the Zuni Indians aged > or =5 years. We used households within neighborhood clusters as the sampling frame. We administered a questionnaire, collected blood and urine, and measured height and weight. Self-reported diabetes was used to assess previously diagnosed diabetes. Participants without a prior history of diabetes were classified as having newly diagnosed diabetes if they had HbA(1c) >7.0% or random glucose > or =11.1 mmol/l during the survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of previously diagnosed diabetes among Zuni Indians aged > or =5 years (n = 1,503) was higher among female Zuni Indians (16.7% [95% CI 14.1-19.3]) than male Zuni Indians (9.7% [7.4-12.1]) (P < 0.001). The prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes was similar among female Zuni Indians (2.4% [1.4-3.4]) and male Zuni Indians (2.4% [1.2-3.6]). The prevalence of previously and newly diagnosed diabetes was higher among female Zuni Indians (19.1% [16.4-21.9]) than male Zuni Indians (12.2% [9.5-14.8]) (P < 0.001). The prevalence of obesity was higher among female Zuni Indians (34.3% [30.9-37.7]) than male Zuni Indians (21.5% [18.4-24.7]) (P < 0.001). Obesity was associated with diabetes among female and male Zuni Indians. Physical inactivity was more common among female Zuni Indians (44.2% [40.7-47.8]) than male Zuni Indians (35.1% [31.5-38.7]) (P < 0.001). However, physical inactivity was not associated with diabetes among either female or male Zuni Indians. Gestational diabetes was a risk factor among female Zuni Indians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the Zuni Indians, the prevalence of diabetes was 57% higher among female than male members of the population. Culture, tradition, and lifestyle differences may contribute to the higher prevalence of diabetes and obesity among female Zuni Indians.
authors.affiliation: Dialysis Clinic, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-5271, USA. pzag@unm.edu
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scavini
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Stidley
authors.forename: Vallabh O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Narva
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tentori
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: Arlene
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bobelu
authors.forename: Carleton P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bobelu
authors.forename: Eunice
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jamon
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Natachu
authors.forename: Donica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neha
authors.forename: Mildred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waikaniwa
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Welty
authors.forename: Jean W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: MacCluer
authors.forename: Philip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Zager
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution