Somatotype and its Associated Factors Among Nigerian Type 2 Diabetes: A Preliminary Study

Even though the somatotype gives a gestalt summary of the body physique and composition, by extension, a morphological marker of a predisposition to various illnesses, the somatotype and associated factors in Nigerian type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have not been fully explored. This study aimed to provide new information on the somatotype and its associated factors in a sample of patients with T2DM in Nigeria. The sample population comprised 40 males and 50 females with confirmed T2DM, aged 30-65, randomly selected and recruited for the study. Blood biochemical parameters, blood pressure and other covariates were collected from the subjects who met the inclusion criteria, and subsequently, they were somatotyped using the Heath and Carter method. In the T2DM patients, mean somatotypes: were 5.8-4.9-0.6 (mesomorphic endomorph) in females and mean somatotype: was 4.3-4.61.1 (endomorphic mesomorph) in the males and were statistically different (F = 5.58, P = 0.021). In this study, gender, level of education, occupation, T2DM disease duration, HbA1c, hypertension, total cholesterol, triglyceride, body mass index (BMI) and physical activities were significant predictors of endomorphy and mesomorphy (p<0.050). However, only BMI was a significant predictor of ectomorphy (p<0.050). The present study found endomorphic and mesomorphic somatotypes as the dominant and high-risk in Nigerian T2DM. Thus, the duo and their predictors should be considered when developing an effective type 2 diabetes health prevention and promotion program in Nigeria.

Key Words: Endomorphy, Mesomorphy, Ectomorphy, Diabetes, Nigeria