Correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) Level among Malaysian Adults Age 40-60

Background :Body mass index (BMI) is known as a measure of the body fat based on height and weight. It is used to raise the awareness of several diseases such as obesity which is one of the world's major epidemic affecting a massive range of the population. It is calculated by dividing the body mass by the square of the body height, and it is universally expressed in the unit of kg/m(2). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) level is a test which is used to know how much glucose is present in a blood sample after 10 hours (Purgatory) fasting. Aim: To find the correlation between BMI and FBG level among Malaysian adults of age 40-60 years old based on the gender and race. Methods: The population sample of this study was 147 adults age 40-60 years old, 63 of them were male (41 Malay, 12 Chinese, 10 Indian) and 84 of them were female (55 Malay, 18 Chinese, 11 Indian). Participants were randomly selected in this cross-sectional study. Their weight was measured by using a weighing scale and height was measured by using a stadiometer. BMI was calculated by using formula weight over height squared (kg/m(2)). For FBG level, participants were tested by using the 'easy touch' blood glucose monitor after 10 hours overnight fasting. Results: Our results showed that the mean BMI level in males were highest among Malay followed by Chinese and Indian respectively, similarly in females the mean BMI level were highest in Malay but it was then followed by Indian and then Chinese respectively. Our study on FBG level showed that among males Malay had the highest mean FBG level followed by Indian and Chinese respectively. Concurrently, in females the mean FBG level were highest in Chinese followed by Indian and Malay respectively.A statistically significant correlation was obtained between BMI and FBG level in overall participants (N=147, p-value = 0.040 for p <= 0.05 and r value = 0.145) and male participants (N=63, p-value = 0.023 for p <= 0.05 and r value = 0.286), but not in female participants (N=84, p-value = 0.711 for p <= 0.05 and r value = 0.041). Conclusion: The significant positive correlation that was found in this research between BMI and FBG level in overall (male and female) participants and male participants could therefore be used as a fundamental guideline for spreading awareness among Malaysian adults between 40 and 60 years of age about their lifestyle, diet and daily physical activity with regard to obesity. This could considerably reduce the likelihood of developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease in this age group over time.