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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Type 2 Diabetes Prevalence and Risk Factors of Urban Maasai in Arusha Municipality and Rural Maasai in Ngorongoro Crater

Stanley Masaki, Abu Ngoye, Pammla Petrucka, Joram Buza

Journal of Applied Life Sciences International · pp. 157–168 · Published 12 Sep 2015

10.9734/JALSI/2015/20174

Abstract

Aim: The study explored potential impacts of migration on Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) prevalence and risk factors across Maasai ethnic communities living traditional rural lifestyles and those living in an urban environment. Method: A cross-sectional investigation of 724 adult Tanzanian Maasai participants was conducted. Anthropometric measures (i.e., body mass index; waist-hip ratio; blood glucose, serum lipids) plus lifestyle (i.e., diet/alcohol/tobacco consumption) and physical activity patterns were assessed. Results: Prevalence of T2D was 22.9% (n=80) in urban and 9.9% (n=37) in rural settings. Urban T2D was significantly (<0.05) positively correlated with known obesity marks, lifestyle risk           factors, systolic blood pressure, and age. In terms of BMI, urban respondents were more likely to be overweight (p<0.001) than their rural counterparts. As well, urban respondents ate more meals per day (p<0.001) and consumed more alcohol (p<0.001). Of note, the increase in urban prevalence related to age is significantly (p<0.05) more pronounced in males than females. In rural settings, increased FBS was significantly negatively correlated with age, and and significantly (p<0.05) positively correlated with obesity markers, with 46% being assessed by BMI as underweight. The activity levels, assessed by distances walked, had rural Maasai with significantly greater distances (P<0.0001). Conclusion: The study demonstrated an increase in T2D for those Maasai adopting more sedentary urban life styles. As a result, it is important for health programs to recognize the impacts of lifestyle changes in contributing to   increasing prevalence in non-communicable diseases such as T2D.  

Maasai type 2 diabetes (T2D) rural to urban migration T2D risk factors

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Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes among Maasai Pastoral Communities in Simanjiro, Tanzania

Juliana Mandha, Buza Joram, Neema Kassimu · OALib · 2015

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