Obesity indices and ultra-processed food intake in relation to diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus remains a major global health problem. Lifestyle changes associated with modernization increase obesity and ultra-processed food consumption, both considered risk factors for diabetes. Obesity can be assessed using several anthropometric indices, such as BMI, WC, WHR, and WHrT. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the obesity index and ultra-processed food consumption with the incidence of diabetes mellitus. This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Semarang from January to May 2025 among 75 adults aged 26–45 years selected by purposive sampling. Fasting blood glucose was measured using the glucose oxidase enzymatic method. The obesity indices were assessed through anthropometric measurements, while ultra-processed food intake was obtained using a modified semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate tests, including the independent t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Pearson test.: Diabetes mellitus was identified in 30.7% of respondents, and 46.7% had a high WHR. WHR showed the highest predictive ability for diabetes mellitus (AUC=0.76). Ultra-processed food intake contributed 30.29% of total daily energy intake, with 44% of respondents in quintile 4. WHR was significantly associated with diabetes mellitus (r=0.563; p=0.01), whereas ultra-processed food intake was not (r=0.333; p=0.077). WHR is the best indicator of diabetes mellitus, whereas consumption of ultra-processed foods showed no significant association in this study.