Background and Aim: Diabetes is the most common endocrine and metabolic disease in the world and is responsible for about 4 million deaths a year. Given the rise of diabetes, it is important to determine the prevalence and risk factors for the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of diabetes in Iranian sailors.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed during 2018. Using cluster sampling, 460 Iranian sailors were selected to participate in the study. Data collection was done by researcher-made questionnaire, which included demographic and clinical and laboratory data of patients. The validity was performed using clinical experts. In order to assess the reliability, 20 people completed the questionnaire in two stages in 2 weeks, and Cronbach's alpha was 83%. The data were analyzed with SPSS statistical software version 18.
Results: The prevalence of diabetes in Iranian sailors was 6.4%. The mean age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, total cholesterol, and LDL were significantly higher in diabetics. In this study, there was a significant relationship between some nutritional and dietary factors such as not consuming vegetables, high consumption of high-fat food, frequent consumption of meat per week and lack of necessary mobility such as lack of proper morning exercise, lack of walking and increased body mass index with diabetes.
Conclusion: Based on the current findings, the prevalence of diabetes in Iranian sailors is high. Diabetes is a multifactorial disease, and a healthy lifestyle can prevent it.