Trends in Obesity Prevalence and Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Control in US Adults with Diabetes, 1999-2020

Objective: Trends in obesity prevalence and trends in control of cardiometabolic risk factors among National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants with diabetes from 1999 through 2020 were analyzed.

Methods: Adults who were 20 years or older and who reported having received a diagnosis of diabetes from a physician were included.

Results: The prevalence of overall obesity, obesity class II, and obesity class III increased from 46.9%, 14.1%, and 10.3% in 1999 to 2002 to 58.1%, 16.6%, and 14.8% in 2015 to 2020, respectively. The prevalence of participants who achieved glycemic control (HbA1c <7%) increased from 42.5% in 1999 to 2002 to 51.8% in 2007 to 2010, then decreased to 48.0% in 2015 to 2020. The prevalence of participants who achieved blood pressure control (<140/90 mmHg) or achieved non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol control (<130 mg/dL) increased throughout the study periods. The prevalence of participants who met all three risk factor goals increased from 8.3% in 1999 to 2002 to 21.2% in 2011 to 2014 and then decreased to 18.5 in 2015 to 2020. Participants with obesity showed worsening glycemic control and lipid control than participants with normal weight.

Conclusions: There were increasing trends in prevalence of obesity, blood pressure control, and lipid control from 1999 to 2002 to 2015 to 2020. Participants with obesity showed worsening glycemic control and lipid control than normal-weight participants.