title: Insulin resistance and its correlation with risk factors for developing diabetes mellitus in 100 omani medical students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) in healthy young Omanis and relate this with their body mass index (BMI) and family history (FH) of diabetes mellitus (DM).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted between May 2009 and February 2010 at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman. A detailed questionnaire was completed by 50 male and 50 female medical students between 20-25 years old. Fasting blood samples were obtained for serum glucose and insulin measurements. IR was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) formula (fasting insulin x fasting glucose/22.5) and a value above 2.5 was considered elevated. The results were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  PARTICIPANTS WERE CLASSIFIED INTO THE FOLLOWING BMI CATEGORIES: 59% were normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), 26% were overweight or obese (>24.9 kg/m(2)) and 15% were underweight (<18.5 kg/m(2)). A FH of DM was present in 74%. The HOMA-IR index was elevated in 16% and was directly correlated to the BMI (P = 0.003). There was no correlation between IR and a positive FH of DM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a high prevalence of IR (16%) and obesity (26%) in healthy young Omani medical students. Counselling is recommended for all overweight and obese individuals in an attempt to prevent or delay the onset of DM in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Humaid H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Al-Farai
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Issa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Al-Aboodi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Azza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Sawafi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Noora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Busaidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Woodhouse
keywords: Body Mass Index; Diabetes; Insulin Resistance; Obesity; Oman; Young Adults
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