OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and predictors of prediabetes among the general public of a multiethnic society.

METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of three months. People from multiethnic background, who were not a known case of diabetes were included and screened for the risk of prediabetes at two health screening programs. The Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire was used to assess the risk among the study population. The demographic and anthropometric measurements were collected, documented and allotted scores. Based on the total score, the study population was categorized as having low (21 or less), moderate (21-32) and / or high (33 or more) risk of prediabetes.

RESULTS: A total of 391 people were screened, of which 206 individuals were eligible to be included in the study. The prevalence of prediabetes was 52.6% [206/391]. Participants from South Asian [116/206, 56.3%] ethnic group were in majority followed by East Asians [50/206, 24.3%], and Other nonwhites [37/206, 18%]. The mean age, body mass index, waist circumference, was 36.8±9 years, 27±4 kg/m² and 91±12 cm respectively. A majority of the participants had high [136/206, 66%], followed by moderate [60/206, 29.1%] and low [10/206, 4.8%] risk of prediabetes. The Tukey’s HSD test revealed that there is a statistically significant difference between participants in high and low risk groups with respect to age range [Q=3.36, p=0.04], gender [Q= 4.05, p=0.01], body mass index [Q=6.24, p=0.00), waist circumference [Q=5.78, p=0.00], high blood pressure [Q=4.96, p=0.00], and education level [Q=5.00, p=0.00]. Whereas, there was a statistically significant difference observed between high and moderate [Q=8.91, p=0.00] as well as high and low [Q=10.44, p=0.00] risk groups with respect to high blood sugar levels.