Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people living in the Bella Coola Valley

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of diabetes among the aboriginal and non-aboriginal populations of the Bella Coola Valley, British Columbia, as well as to explore the relationship between age, gender, weight, body mass index and aboriginal status, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in this community. A retrospective chart review was conducted on all residents living in the Bella Coola Valley as of September 2001 who had a clinic chart at the Bella Coola Medical Clinic. The age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes among the aboriginal population was 12.5%. Among the non-aboriginal population, the prevalence rate was similar to what has been reported for the general population of Canada (4.8%). It was determined that age, weight, body mass index and aboriginal status were all significant contributors to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The results of this study indicate that diabetes is a significant health issue that needs to be addressed in the Bella Coola Valley.