Body Composition and Body Fat Distribution Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Nepal: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with obesity and abnormal body fat distribution, both of which increase cardiometabolic risk. This study aimed to assess body composition and body fat distribution among patients with T2DM attending a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Nepal.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 101 adult patients with T2DM attending the Internal Medicine Outpatient Department of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan. Participants were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Body composition was assessed using multi frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, and associations between sex and body composition parameters were evaluated using the chi-square test.

 Results: Of the 101 participants, 66 (65.3%) were female and 42 (41.6%) were aged 45–60 years. Body fat mass and percentage body fat increased with higher BMI categories. Females had a higher prevalence of obesity than males. Significant associations were observed between sex and BMI (p=0.01), skeletal muscle mass (p<0.001), percentage body fat (p><0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (p><0.001), visceral fat level (p=0.005), and total body water (p=0.046).

Conclusions: Overweight, obesity, and increased body fat were common among patients with T2DM. Body composition assessment using bioelectrical impedance analysis provides additional information beyond BMI and may support better risk assessment and individualized management.