Prevalence of Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome in a Migrant Mixtec Population, Baja California, Mexico

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and correlates of metabolic syndrome (MS) and diabetes among a migrant Mixtec population residing in San Quintin, Baja California, Mexico. A cross-sectional study utilizing data collected during a 2-day clinic in 2008 in a rural farming community with a high prevalence of Mixtec Indians. Interviews and clinical examinations were performed to assess sociodemographic data, medical history and anthropometric measures. Blood samples were obtained to measure glycated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL. Of the 107 patients surveyed, 56 % were female and mean age was 38.5 (range: 18–74, SD = 12.6) years. Overall, 41.1 % had MS and 26.2 % had diabetes. Drinking alcohol more than once a week [adjusted OR (AOR) = 16.0, p = 0.008] and being literate (AOR = 0.38, p = 0.035) were independently associated with MS. Only female gender was significantly associated with diabetes (OR = 3.95, p = 0.005). The high prevalence of MS, diabetes and other metabolic abnormalities among migrant farm workers in San Quintin suggest the need for interventions to reduce the risk for these conditions.