Diabetes Among Mexican Americans in Starr County, Texas

Abstract

An increasing body of evidence suggests that diabetes mellitus constitutes a major health burden among the Mexican-American population. For example, county-wide death rates in Texas attributable to diabetes from 1970-1981 range from 2.5-52.0 diabetes deaths per 1000 total deaths with the highest rates generally occurring in counties whose populations are more than 75% Spanish ancestry. To assess the prevalence and morbidity of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus among Mexican Americans, 14% of the Starr County, Texas, population (97% Mexican-American) was randomly sampled. The reference population, sampling strategy, and screening results are described. Age-specific prevalences of diabetes for males ranged from 0% in males aged 15-24 years to 17.6% in those above 75 years of age. Rates for females ranged from 0.4% in those aged 15-24 years to a high of 19.0% in the 55- to 64-year age group. In both sexes, the rates are relatively low for persons under age 45 with a sharp increase in those aged 45-54 years and high rates prevailing in the older age groups. Comparisons of the rates in Starr County to those of the general US population indicate a two- to fivefold greater risk in Starr County. In terms of impact on this community, these results imply that over 50% of individuals older than 35 years are directly affected by diabetes by virtue of their having the disease or by being a first-degree relative of a diabetic.

Culturally Competent Diabetes Self-Management Education for Mexican Americans

“…In some areas of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, type 2 diabetes affects 50% of the Hispanic population Ͼ35 years of age (2). Mexican Americans tend to be diagnosed with diabetes at younger ages and exhibit higher fasting glucose levels, decreased insulin sensitivity, increased insulin response, and more severe forms of diabetes complications (3)(4)(5).…”

Weight loss in obese Mexican Americans treated for 1-year with orlistat and lifestyle modification

“…8 In addition, 50% of Mexican-American adults 35 y or older either have diabetes themselves or have a first-degree relative with diabetes. 10 Modest weight loss can have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors. 1,[11][12][13][14] It is likely that Mexican Americans, and other minority groups, would also experience these same benefits with modest weight loss.…”

Are risk factors for conversion to NIDDM similar in high and low risk populations?

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Numerous studies have shown that Mexican Americans have an increased prevalence [1][2][3][4] and incidence [5] of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) relative to non-Hispanic whites. The Mexican American population is characterized by increased adiposity [1][2][3][4]6], a more centralized distribution of body fat [6,7], hyperinsulinaemia [8][9][10] and insulin resistance [11,12].

Metabolic factors have been shown to be important risk factors for the development of NIDDM.

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“…The Mexican American population is characterized by increased adiposity [1][2][3][4]6], a more centralized distribution of body fat [6,7], hyperinsulinaemia [8][9][10] and insulin resistance [11,12].Metabolic factors have been shown to be important risk factors for the development of NIDDM. Both insulin resistance [13,14] and hyperinsulinaemia [13,[15][16][17][18][19] have been shown to predict NIDDM.…”

“…The Mexican American population is characterized by increased adiposity [1][2][3][4]6], a more centralized distribution of body fat [6,7], hyperinsulinaemia [8][9][10] and insulin resistance [11,12].…”