| Description |
Diabetes mellitus is a universal disease that appears to have a higher prevalence among certain ethnic groups. Many north American Indian tribes have been recognized in studies to have unusually high percentages of diabetes. In many of these studies obesity was also found to be very common. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe the prevalence of diabetes among members of the Ute Indian tribe, and (2) explore possible relationships that might exist between weight indices (percentage of ideal weight, ponderal index, weight alone, and skinfold thickness) and blood glucose. This was done in the hopes of establishing guidelines for further diabetes screening and treatment programs among this particular tribe. The subjects were 282 Ute Indians on the Ute-Ouray Indian Reservation, raging in age from - to 84, who voluntarily attended Diabetes Detection clinics held on the reservation between April 23 and April 27, 1973. The subjects were measured for height, weight, and skinfold thickness, and then they were given a glucose load of 100 gm in the form of a carbonated beverage. One hour later capillary blood samples were collected and blood glucose levels were determined using Dextrositex reagent strips and Reflectance Meter (Ames Company). Blood values were compared to diagnostic standards, and diabetics were identified as have 1-hour glucose tolerance values of greater than 251 mg/100 cc. In addition to the data collected, the ponderal index and percentage of ideal weight were calculated. All data were tabulated and processed by computer. Thirty-one of those screened where known to have diabetes. Sixteen new cases of diabetes were found. Prevalence for the total sample was 16.7%, Without known diabetics included, 6.4% of the remaining samples were found to be diabetic. Prevalence of diabetes rose with age over 30 years. Weight indices (ponderal index, weight, and skinfold thickness) were not found to have a high correlation with blood glucose levels. This finding precludes the hope of predicting elevated blood glucoses by means of measurement of weight indices. On the basis of the research findings, it became invent that the dietary intake of the diabetic and non-diabetic alike need to be scrutinized to assess what influence diet may have in explaining the frequency of obesity and diabetes in the Ute tribe. |
