Linking socioeconomic inequalities and type 2 diabetes through obesity and lifestyle factors among Mexican adults: a structural equations modeling approach

Objective. To assess the association between type 2 dia­betes
(DM2) and socioeconomic inequalities, mediated by the contribution of body
mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and diet
(diet-DII). Materials and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional
analysis using data of adults participating in the Diabetes Mellitus
Survey of Mexico City. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics as
well as height and weight, dietary intake, leisure time activity and the
presence of DM2 were measured. We fitted a structural equation model (SEM)
with DM2 as the main outcome, and BMI, diet-DII and PA served as mediator
variables between socioeconomic inequalities index (SII) and
DM2. Results. The prevalence of DM2 was 13.6%. From the
fitted SEM, each standard deviation increases in the SII was associated
with increased scores of DM2
(β=0.174, P<0.001). Conclusion. The
results in the present study show how high scores in the index of SII may
influence the presence of DM2.