Prevalence of diabetes is higher among female than male Zuni indians.
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.
Scavini
Marina
M
Dialysis Clinic, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-5271, USA. pzag@unm.edu
Stidley
Christine A
CA
Shah
Vallabh O
VO
Narva
Andrew S
AS
Tentori
Francesca
F
Kessler
David S
DS
Bobelu
Arlene
A
Albert
Carleton P
CP
Bobelu
Jeanette
J
Jamon
Eunice
E
Natachu
Kathy
K
Neha
Donica
D
Waikaniwa
Mildred
M
Welty
Thomas K
TK
MacCluer
Jean W
JW
Zager
Philip G
PG
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