Risk factors for impaired fasting blood glucose in a sample of Mexican 5 to 17-year-old children: Results from a state screening program

Background Several clinical characteristics have been identified as risk factors for the development of T2D, such as obesity, physical inactivity, family history of T2D, and early life characteristics like breastfeeding, among others. Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) is a pre-diabetic state, and its risk factors should be screened early in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics associated with a higher probability of presenting with IFG in a sample of Mexican children and adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1,660 children and teenagers (5 to 17 y) who participated in a statewide screening program in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. Participants' characteristics were assessed by direct measurement (body weight, height, blood glucose) and by administering a questionnaire that the participant and the parent/guardian filled out (age, sex, family history, and participants’ health behaviours) IFG was determined by fasting blood samples using disposable test strips and a glucometer. Logistic regression was used to analyze associations between the relevant predictors and IFG. Results sample size consisted of 1,660 participants aged from 5 a 16 years old. Impaired Fasting Glucose was observed in 414/1,246 participants (24.94% [95% CI, 22.86–27.02]) After running individual and adjusted models, five predictors were significantly associated with IFG: age group 5 to 9 (OR,95% 1.87; CI:1.34–2.61), no breastfeeding (OR,95% 1.42; CI:1.13–1.81), physical inactivity 1.35 (OR95%; CI:1.05–1.72), obesity 1.40 OR 95%; IC:1.05–1.88), and being a boy 1.33 (OR95%; IC:1.06–1.67). Conclusions In this convenience sample of Mexican children, there was the high prevalence of IGF, with one out of five participants presenting the condition. age, sex, obesity, history of breastfeeding, and sedentary behavior predicted IGF. These characteristics are easy to assess and can be used for screening and intervention in primary care and community settings. These results also highlight the importance of implementing population-level diabetes screening and prevention policies for children and adolescents, like the one described in this study.