ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INCREASED ABDOMINAL CIRCUMFERENCE AND THE PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global public health emergency, closely linked to abdominal obesity. Waist circumference (WC) is a simple anthropometric indicator of visceral adiposity, but its usefulness as a risk marker requires continuous synthesis of evidence. Objective: To evaluate the association between elevated waist circumference and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults through a systematic review of recent scientific literature. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed in the PubMed, SciELO, and BVS databases in December 2024, for primary articles published between 2019 and 2024 in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Selection was managed using the Rayyan platform (https://www.rayyan.ai/). A qualitative synthesis of the findings was carried out. Results: The initial search identified 237 articles. After the screening process, 13 studies were included in the final sample. The results of this review confirm a consistent and significant association between elevated WC and a higher prevalence of T2DM. This association persists even in individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI) (normal-weight obesity). Lifestyle interventions, such as specific diets and exercise, proved effective in reducing WC and improving metabolic profiles. Conclusion: Waist circumference is an accessible, cost-effective, and reliable clinical indicator for identifying individuals at increased risk of T2DM. Its measurement allows for the detection of visceral adiposity, a key pathogenic factor not captured by BMI. Systematic incorporation of WC in primary care is recommended as a screening tool to stratify metabolic risk and guide personalized and public health prevention strategies.