Baseline characteristics of participants with baseline and follow-up measurements.

BMI  =  Body mass index, HbA1c  =  haemoglobin A1c, HDL  =  high-density lipoprotein, LDL  =  low-density lipoprotein.
Data in parentheses are standard deviations following means or percentages following n.
aEducational level is the highest education achieved and is classified as: low  =  secondary education, primary education, or less; middle  =  low vocational training, lower secondary education, intermediate vocational training, and higher secondary education; and high  =  higher vocational training or university.
bCut-off values for population of South Asian origin.