Research

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High Body Mass Index (BMI) is the leading risk factor for T2DM-related mortality globally, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, although trends in High-Income Countries showed a decrease between 2005 and 2015.

Maintain a healthy body weight, as high BMI is the leading risk factor for T2DM mortality worldwide. This is especially critical if you live in a middle- or low-income country where obesity rates are rising. While BMI isn't perfect, managing your weight through diet and activity is the most impactful step you can take to reduce your diabetes risk.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Body mass index (BMI) continued to be the leading risk factor for T2DM-related mortality, and increases in BMI were more common in low- and middle-income countries (LIC and MIC).
Devy L Elling et al. · Globalization and Health · 2018

Why this rating

Based on aggregate global data; while the sample size is massive (193 countries), it lacks individual-level clinical controls for confounders like blood pressure or specific fat distribution.

Source

Sex differences and risk factors for diabetes mellitus - an international study from 193 countries

Devy L Elling et al. · Globalization and Health · 2018

DOI 10.1186/s12992-018-0437-7

cross_sectionalCited 32×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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