[Prevalence of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors in the Mazatec population of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico].

The occurrence non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus has increased during the second half of this century in Mexico as well as in other countries. American Indians have one of the highest prevalences in the world, but there are few studies that have estimated the occurrence of diabetes in Mexican Indians. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in Huautla, Oaxaca, Mexico, to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in Mexican Mazatecos Indians, as well as its related risk factors. A total of 798 subjects were interviewed, and 16 diabetics were found, the prevalence of diabetes was 2.01%. The prevalence increased with age, but declined in those 65 years of age or older, mainly in women. The prevalence was slightly higher in women (2.2%) than in men (1.6%). There was a relation of diabetes with obesity, central body fat distribution, a family history of diabetes and hypertension. The prevalence is low if compared with the notified prevalence in the country, but there are certain age groups where its occurrence is similar to those living in an urban area. There is a need of intervention measures to prevent an epidemic such as the one seen nowadays among American Indians.