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. 2023 May 16;15(5):e39112.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.39112. eCollection 2023 May.

Predictability of the Development of Insulin Resistance Based on the Risk Factors Among Female Medical Students at a Private College in Saudi Arabia

Yousria Badawy  1   2 , Nouf H Aljohani  3 , Gufran A Salem  3 , Fatima M Ashour  3 , Sarah A Own  3 , Nora F Alajrafi  3
Affiliations

Predictability of the Development of Insulin Resistance Based on the Risk Factors Among Female Medical Students at a Private College in Saudi Arabia

Yousria Badawy et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is currently an underlying phenomenon in the etiology of most non-communicable diseases. IR has been proposed as the key linking factor for the metabolic syndrome disease cluster of glucose intolerance.

Objectives: This study's target was to assess the predictability of risk factors for IR among female medical students Methods: A cross-sectional study involving female medical students was carried out. The sample size was 272, and a suitable non-probability sampling method was employed. A correlation test was done, and a P value less than 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Each participant underwent assessment of anthropometric measurements and biochemical testing. For assessing lifestyle, validated questionnaires on physical activity, sleep pattern, dietary pattern, and stress were adopted. The anthropometric data such as height, weight, and waist circumference were collected. Biochemical testing involved estimation of the postprandial capillary blood glucose level on campus. Additionally, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured.

Results: The association of lifestyle risk factors with waist circumference as an indicator of IR was done where the majority of those with high waist circumference were physically inactive and more prone to stress which was statistically significant when compared to those with normal waist circumference. However, poor sleep and unhealthy diet were high among those with high waist circumference, but they were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The correlation of waist circumference as an indicator of IR was highly significant with body mass index, postprandial blood sugar, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. A series of unhealthy lifestyle habits was contributable to developing obesity and therefore IR among medical students in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: body mass index; body weight; daily physical activity; day sleep; diastolic blood pressure; insulin resistance; life style habits; obesity; risk factors; systolic blood pressure.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Correlation between waist circumference and body mass index.
A scatter plot showing the correlation between waist circumference as an indicator of insulin resistance and body mass index among female medical students at a private college in Saudi Arabia. Based on the correlation p = 000⋆ ⋆means significant correlation
Figure 2
Figure 2. Waist circumference and postprandial blood sugar level
A scatter plot showing the correlation between waist circumference as an indicator of insulin resistance and postprandial blood sugar level among female medical students of a private college in Saudi Arabia. Based on the correlation p = 000⋆ ⋆means significant correlation
Figure 3
Figure 3. Correlation of waist circumference and systolic blood pressure
A scatter plot showing the correlation between waist circumference as an indicator of insulin resistance and systolic blood pressure among female medical students at a private college in Saudi Arabia. Based on the correlation p = 000⋆ ⋆means significant correlation
Figure 4
Figure 4. Correlation of waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure
A scatter plot showing the correlation between waist circumference as an indicator of insulin resistance and diastolic blood pressure among female medical students at a private college in Saudi Arabia. Based on the correlation p = 000⋆ ⋆means significant correlation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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