Background: Obesity among type 2 diabetic patients has proven to have adverse effects in management and control of diabetes and a considerable proportion of type 2 diabetic patients have been reported to be obese in different settings, which increase the risk of microvascular complications among them. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of and define determinants of obesity among type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Aziziyah Al-shargiah primary health care center, Makkah among a random sample of type 2 diabetic patients registered in the chronic disease clinic. Self-administrated validated questionnaire was used for data collection. It composed of two sections; socio-demographic and personal characteristics of the participants as well as factors associated with obesity. Additionally, the body mass index (BMI) was calculated by an expert nurse. Results: Overall, 160 patients were enrolled for the study with a response rate of 91.4%. Their age ranged between 38 and 85 years with mean±SD of 51.5±9.2 years. Most of them (72.5%) were females and majority were Saudis (90%). Aalmost two-thirds of the respondents (63.8%) were obese. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to single persons, divorced were at 9-folds risk for obesity (AOR=9.0; 95% CI=1.19-106.0, p=0.017). Participants who didn`t stop aerobic exercise for two consecutive days or more per week were at lower risk for obesity compared to those did that always (AOR=0.05; 95% CI=0.001-0.74, p=0.029). Type 2 diabetic patients who treated with insulin were at higher significant risk for obesity compared to those treated with tables only (AOR=8.11; 95% CI=1.01-65.24, p=0.019). Conclusion: Obesity is highly prevalent among type 2 diabetic patients. Some modifiable risk factors were identified. Multidisciplinary effort is warranted to reduce obesity among type 2 diabetic patients.

obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, risk factors, Saudi Arabia