The Correlation Between Visceral Fat Levels and Fasting Blood Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Primary Health Facility in Medan

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major metabolic disorder closely linked to visceral adiposity and insulin resistance. Visceral fat is metabolically active and contributes to inflammation and impaired glucose regulation. Evidence regarding the association between visceral fat and fasting blood glucose in primary healthcare populations remains limited. This study aimed to examine the correlation between visceral fat levels and fasting blood glucose among patients with T2DM in a primary care setting.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted at a primary healthcare facility in Medan between October and December 2025. Sixty adult patients with confirmed T2DM were recruited using consecutive sampling. Visceral fat levels were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and fasting blood glucose was assessed after an overnight fast using standardized laboratory methods. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were recorded. Data distribution was tested using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s rho with a significance level of p<0.05.

Results: Participants had a median age of 63.5 years, and 61.7% were female. The median body mass index was 25.4 kg/m² and median fasting blood glucose was 154 mg/dL. Both visceral fat and fasting glucose were non-normally distributed (p<0.001). Correlation analysis demonstrated a weak positive association between visceral fat and fasting blood glucose (r=0.173), which was not statistically significant (p=0.186).

Discussion: The findings suggest that fasting glycemic status in established T2DM is influenced by multifactorial mechanisms beyond adiposity alone, including treatment effects and disease progression.

Conclusion: Although non-significant, the positive trend supports the metabolic relevance of visceral adiposity. Assessment of visceral fat remains important for cardiometabolic risk evaluation in primary care.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Visceral Fat; Blood Glucose; Obesity, Abdominal