Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common form of diabetes, and its global incidence continues to rise. Obesity, characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat, is also a major public health concern worldwide. Both T2DM and obesity are chronic, interrelated conditions, with obesity recognized as a key determinant in the development and progression of T2DM. The increasing prevalence of obesity is contributing significantly to the parallel rise in diabetes rates. The coexistence of T2DM and obesity can have serious health consequences, increasing the risk of complications and reducing quality of life. Identifying the risk factors associated with obesity among individuals with T2DM is essential to help mitigate these outcomes.
This systematic review aimed to identify the risk factors linked to overweight and obesity in adults with T2DM by analyzing previous research in this area. A comprehensive search was conducted in scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar using specific keywords. Eligible studies were original articles published in English that reported data on overweight and/or obesity in adult T2DM patients. A total of eight studies met the inclusion criteria, collectively involving 3,972 subjects, comprising 3,782 T2DM patients and 190 control subjects. The studies reported on the prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as associated risk and protective factors. The findings indicate that overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among individuals with T2DM. Common risk factors identified include female gender, family history of diabetes and obesity, physical inactivity, older age, and hypertension.

Key words: Determinants, risk factors, obesity, diabetes, T1DM.