Early Prediction and HRCT Evaluation of Post Covid-19 Related Lung Fibrosis.

Background: Early detection of post-COVID-19-related lung fibrosis is very important for the early introduction of treatment and to minimize morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is the early detection and evaluation of post-COVID-19 fibrosis by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Methods: This prospective study included 115 patients irrespective of age and sex, who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal swab (RT PCR), admitted to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) dedicated COVID-19 hospital, Dhaka, and discharged after recovery. Patients went through a chest HRCT scan at least once during their hospital stay and another scan during follow-up after hospital discharge and 8 to 12 weeks of negative RT-PCR report. Result: Among 100 patients 23 patients had >50% of total lung involvement by visual assessment. Thirty-three patients had 25% to 50% of total lung volume involvement. Twenty-seven patients had less than 25% of total lung involvement, whereas 17 patients had no visual fibrotic change on the follow-up HRCT scan. A statistical association was found between age, gender, smoking, and severe form of lung fibrosis (P < .05). Patients with mild CT severity score (⩽8) had a very good prognosis. Patients who were admitted to the hospital for more than 15 days were more prone to developing moderate and severe forms of fibrosis. Patients who received at least 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had less severe forms of fibrosis as well as more cases of complete radiological recovery. On the HRCT scan, most of the patients had bilateral, peripheral (68%), and predominant mid & lower lobar parenchymal involvement. Conclusion: Early detection and HRCT evaluation of post-COVID-19 related lung fibrosis is very crucial for early management and introduction of anti-fibrotic drugs.

Assessment of quality of life and its determinants in type-2 diabetes patients using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is rising at a rapid rate worldwide. As a chronic, incurable metabolic disease, diabetes affects a person's life in all ways. Studies thus far have focused on the impact of diabetes on the physical and mental health of persons affected by the quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to explore the whole range of QoL deficits using the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) in type-2 diabetic patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among individuals aged at or above 15 years with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Patients with prior mental health illness and unwillingness to give consent were excluded. A pretested structured questionnaire including the 26-item WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews. Appropriate ethical measures were ensured. All statistical analyses were carried out using the statistical software STATA (Version 16.1). Graphs were created using R (Version 4.0.0). RESULTS: A total of 500 T2 DM patients with a mean age of 55.8 ± 13.2 years (± SD) and a female proportion of 50.8% were included. Overall, 22.2% of participants rated their QoL as poor, and 25% were dissatisfied with their health (as assessed by questions 1 and 2 of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire). More than half (54% and 51.2%, respectively) had an average evaluation of their QoL and health. The QoL scores were below average, with mean scores (± SD) for the physical health, psychological, social relationship, and environmental domains of 37.2 ± 20.5, 44.2 ± 21.0, 39.6 ± 23.2, and 41.6 ± 19.5, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the patient's level of education and monthly family income were significant positive modifiers and that complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, and peripheral artery disease) were significant negative determinants of the QoL score in different domains. CONCLUSION: This study found the overall quality of life among T2DM patients below average. Health authorities and clinicians should take these findings into account and incorporate necessary measures to ameliorate negative modifiers of the quality of life of sufferers.

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of gestational diabetes mellitus highlights genetic links with type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcomes. GDM often reoccurs and is associated with increased risk of subsequent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). To improve our understanding of the aetiological factors and molecular processes driving the occurrence of GDM, including the extent to which these overlap with T2D pathophysiology, the GENetics of Diabetes In Pregnancy Consortium assembled genome-wide association studies of diverse ancestry in a total of 5485 women with GDM and 347 856 without GDM. Through multi-ancestry meta-analysis, we identified five loci with genome-wide significant association (P < 5 × 10-8) with GDM, mapping to/near MTNR1B (P = 4.3 × 10-54), TCF7L2 (P = 4.0 × 10-16), CDKAL1 (P = 1.6 × 10-14), CDKN2A-CDKN2B (P = 4.1 × 10-9) and HKDC1 (P = 2.9 × 10-8). Multiple lines of evidence pointed to the shared pathophysiology of GDM and T2D: (i) four of the five GDM loci (not HKDC1) have been previously reported at genome-wide significance for T2D; (ii) significant enrichment for associations with GDM at previously reported T2D loci; (iii) strong genetic correlation between GDM and T2D and (iv) enrichment of GDM associations mapping to genomic annotations in diabetes-relevant tissues and transcription factor binding sites. Mendelian randomization analyses demonstrated significant causal association (5% false discovery rate) of higher body mass index on increased GDM risk. Our results provide support for the hypothesis that GDM and T2D are part of the same underlying pathology but that, as exemplified by the HKDC1 locus, there are genetic determinants of GDM that are specific to glucose regulation in pregnancy.

Cardiovascular Risk, Obesity, and Sociodemographic Indicators in a Brazilian Population.

Background and Aims: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally and in Brazil. Evidence suggests that the risk of CVDs differs by race/ethnicity. Scarce information exists about the association between CVD risk, obesity indicators and sociodemographic characteristics in the Brazilian population. Objectives: We aimed to assess the CVD risk following the Framingham risk score in relation to the population's sociodemographic profile. Further, we examined the association between anthropometric markers and risk of CVDs. Methods: A total of 701 subjects aged ≥20 years from North-eastern Brazil were recruited randomly to participate in a population-based, cross-sectional survey. Age-adjusted data for CVD risk, sociodemographic characteristics, and anthropometric indices were assessed, and their relationships examined. Results: High CVD risk (Framingham risk score ≥10%) was observed in 18.9% of the population. Males (31.9 vs. 12.5%) and older subjects (age ≥45 years: 68.9% vs. age <45 years: 4.2%) had significantly higher risk of CVDs, whereas those employed in manual labor showed lower risk (7.6 vs. 21.7%). Central obesity measures like waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio were more strongly associated with predicted CVD risk than body mass index. Conclusions: Our population had a high risk of CVDs using the Framingham risk score. Cost-effective strategies for screening, prevention and treatment of CVDs may likely reduce disease burden and health expenditure in Brazil. Central obesity measures were strongly associated with predicted CVD risk and might be useful in the clinical assessment of patients. Follow-up studies are warranted to validate our findings.

Race/ethnicity and challenges for optimal insulin therapy.

AIMS: We aimed to review insulin dosing recommendations, insulin regulation and its determinants, glycaemic response to carbohydrates, and the efficacy and safety of insulin therapy in different races/ethnicities. METHODS: We searched for articles in PubMed and Google Scholar databases up to 31 March 2021, with the following keywords: "ethnicity", "diabetes", "insulin", "history of insulin", "insulin therapy", "food/rice", "carbohydrate intake", "insulin resistance", "BMI", "insulin dosing", "insulin sensitivity", "insulin response", "glycaemic index", "glycaemic response", "efficacy and safety", with interposition of the Boolean operator "AND".In addition, we reviewed the reference lists of the articles found. RESULTS: The differential effect of race/ethnicity has not yet been considered in current insulin therapy guidelines. Nevertheless, body size and composition, body mass index, fat distribution, diet, storage, and energy expenditure vary significantly across populations. Further, insulin sensitivity, insulin response, and glycaemicresponse to carbohydrates differ by ethnicity. These disparities may lead to different insulin requirements, adversely impacting the efficacy and safety of insulin therapy among ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Race/ethnicity affects glucose metabolism and insulin regulation.Until now, international guidelines addressing racial/ethnic-specific clinical recommendations are limited. Comprehensive updated insulin therapy guidelines by ethnicity are urgently needed.

Vitamin D3 and B12 supplementation in pregnancy.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of vitamin D3 or B12 supplementation during pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant women at 6-14 weeks in the intervention arm received oral high dose intermittent vitamin D3 and/or low dose B12 supplementation if they had vitamin D or vitamin B12 deficiency. The control arm received prescribed dietary instruction only. An additional observational arm for those mothers at booking with normal vitamin D and vitamin B12 level was also recruited. All groups received standard care during pregnancy. RESULTS: The primary endpoint of either vitamin D or B12 at term was not met. At baseline 25% participants in both the interventional and control arms had severe D deficiency (<30 nmol/l), reducing to under 3.4% in both groups. No maternal differences in vitamin D or B12 levels were found at delivery between the intervention, control, or observational groups. No significant difference in any of the pregnancy or birth outcomes was observed between three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, oral supplementation of high dose intermittent vitamin D or low dose vitamin B12 regime failed to correct the relevant nutritional deficiencies in Bangladeshi pregnant women as per protocol. Both dietary supplementation and high dose vitamin D corrected severe vitamin deficiency.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome by different definitions, and its association with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, and cardiovascular disease risk in Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is increasing in developing countries. Different definitions of MS lead to discrepancies in prevalence estimates and applicability. We assessed the prevalence of MS as defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Plan III (Modified NCEP) and Joint Interim Statement (JIS); compared the diagnostic performance and association of these definitions of MS with pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. METHODS: A total of 714 randomly selected subjects from Northeastern Brazil were investigated in a cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were recorded. Diagnostic test performance measures assessed the ability of the different MS definitions to identify those with pre-diabetes, T2DM and increased CVD risk. RESULTS: The adjusted prevalence of MS was 36.1% applying the JIS criteria, 35.1% the IDF and 29.5% Modified NCEP. Women were more affected by MS according to all definitions. MS was significantly associated with pre-diabetes, T2DM and CVD risk following the three definitions. However, the JIS and IDF definitions showed higher sensitivity than the Modified NCEP to identify pre-diabetes, T2DM and CVD risk. The odds ratios for those conditions were not significantly different when comparing the definitions. CONCLUSIONS: MS is highly prevalent in Brazil, particularly among those with pre-diabetes, T2DM, and high CVD risk. The IDF and JIS criteria may be better suited in the Brazilian population to identify pre-diabetes, T2DM and CVD risk. This may also signify the importance of the assessment of MS in clinical practice.

COVID-19 and diabetes: Knowledge in progress.

AIMS: We aimed to briefly review the general characteristics of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and provide a better understanding of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in people with diabetes, and its management. METHODS: We searched for articles in PubMed and Google Scholar databases till 02 April 2020, with the following keywords: "SARS-CoV-2", "COVID-19", "infection", "pathogenesis", "incubation period", "transmission", "clinical features", "diagnosis", "treatment", "diabetes", with interposition of the Boolean operator "AND". RESULTS: The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 is heterogeneous, ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure and death. Older age, diabetes and other comorbidities are reported as significant predictors of morbidity and mortality. Chronic inflammation, increased coagulation activity, immune response impairment, and potential direct pancreatic damage by SARS-CoV-2 might be among the underlying mechanisms of the association between diabetes and COVID-19. No conclusive evidence exists to support the discontinuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers or thiazolidinediones because of COVID-19 in people with diabetes. Caution should be taken to potential hypoglycemic events with the use of chloroquine in these subjects. Patient tailored therapeutic strategies, rigorous glucose monitoring and careful consideration of drug interactions might reduce adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions are made on the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of the relationship between diabetes and COVID-19, and its management. No definite conclusions can be made based on current limited evidence. Further research regarding this relationship and its clinical management is warranted.

Maternal BMI and nutritional status in early pregnancy and its impact on neonatal outcomes at birth in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: To assess the maternal characteristics and nutritional status according to body mass index (BMI) at 6-14 weeks of gestation and to examine the relationship between maternal nutritional status in early pregnancy and its impact on neonatal birth weight. METHODS: The investigation was conducted from April 2011 to June 2012 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 498 primigravida pregnant women participated in the study; women with known diabetes or previous gestational diabetes (GDM) were excluded. Maternal demographic details, pregnancy history and anthropometric measurements were obtained from the mother at the recruitment (6-14 weeks), 2nd visit between 24 and 28 week of gestation and 3rd visit at delivery. Cord venous blood samples of newborns (n = 138) were collected immediately after delivery for blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, leptin and micronutrients including serum folate, ferritin, homocysteine, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. RESULTS: The prevalence at 6-14 weeks of pregnancy of anemia (Hb, < 11 g/dl), vitamin D deficiency (< 30 nmol/l), vitamin B12 deficiency (< 200 pg/ml), high homocysteine level (> 15 µmol/l), folate deficiency (< 3 ng/ml) and iron deficiency (ferritin < 13 ng/ml) were 19.5, 46.4, 15.1, 1.2, 0.4, and 12.7% respectively. GDM was found in 18.4% women. The prevalence of GDM was higher in overweight women (28.1%) than underweight (16.7%) and normal weight women (16.0%: p <  0.05). The incidence of low birth weight (LBW) and preterm delivery were 11.6 and 5.8% respectively and was not related to maternal BMI at 6-14 weeks of pregnancy. Maternal height was positively (p = 0.02), and homocysteine was negatively associated with neonatal birth weight (p = 0.02). In addition, the newborn's cord serum folate was positively (p = 0.03) and cord triglyceride was negatively (p = 0.03) associated with neonatal birth weight. CONCLUSION: Multiple maternal micronutrient deficiencies were present in early pregnancy. Maternal BMI in early pregnancy was not related to preterm deliveries or LBW. LBW was associated with lower folate, elevated cord triglyceride concentrations of the neonates and mother's height and increase in maternal homocysteine levels. The data has important implications for pregnancy care in Bangladesh and other similar communities.

Glycated Hemoglobin in the Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus in a Semi-Urban Brazilian Population.

The study evaluated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as a diagnostic tool for diabetes and pre-diabetes in the Brazilian population. Further, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was also examined against HbA1c values to identify the most suitable cut-off points for HOMA-IR to predict the risk of diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 714 randomly selected subjects. HbA1c, fasting, and 2 h plasma glucose values were measured. Insulin resistance estimates were calculated with HOMA-IR. The receiver operating characteristic curve assessed HbA1c performance. The adjusted prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus was 14.7%, and pre-diabetes 14.2%. The optimal HbA1c cut-off value was ≥6.8% for the diagnosis of diabetes, and ≥6.0% for pre-diabetes. The area under the curve using HbA1c was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.80-0.90) for detecting diabetes and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.55-0.67) for pre-diabetes. The optimal HOMA-IR cut-off value was 2.06 for HbA1c at 6.8%. The HbA1c cut-off value of ≥6.8% may be suitable for diagnosing diabetes in the Brazilian population. Our results do not support the use of HbA1c to diagnose pre-diabetes. A HOMA-IR cut-off point of 2.06 was a sensitive marker to assess the risk of diabetes.

BE-SMART (Basal Early Strategies to Maximize HbA1c Reduction with Oral Therapy): Expert Opinion.

The past three decades have seen a quadruple rise in the number of people affected by diabetes mellitus worldwide, with the disease being the ninth major cause of mortality. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often remains undiagnosed for several years due to its asymptomatic nature during the initial stages. In India, 70% of diagnosed diabetes cases remain uncontrolled. Current guidelines endorse the initiation of insulin early in the course of the disease, specifically in patients with HbA1c > 10%, as the use of oral agents alone is unlikely to achieve glycemic targets. Early insulin initiation and optimization of glycemic control using insulin titration algorithms and patient empowerment can facilitate the effective management of uncontrolled diabetes. Early glucose control has sustained benefits in people with diabetes. However, insulin initiation, dose adjustment, and the need to repeatedly assess blood glucose levels are often perplexing for both physicians and patients, and there are misconceptions and concerns regarding its use. Hence, an early transition to insulin and ideal intensification of treatment may aid in delaying the onset of diabetes complications. This opinion statement was formulated by an expert panel on the basis of existing guidelines, clinical experience, and economic and cultural contexts. The statement stresses the timely and appropriate use of basal insulin in T2DM. It focuses on the seven vital Ts-treatment initiation, timing of administration, transportation and storage, technique of administration, targets for titration, tablets, and tools for monitoring.Funding: Sanofi.

Serum Lipid Profile and Its Association with Diabetes and Prediabetes in a Rural Bangladeshi Population.

Dyslipidemia is commonly associated with diabetes (T2DM). This has been demonstrated for the Caucasian population, but few data are available for Asian Indians. The paper aims to investigate serum lipids (separately or in combination) and their association with glucose intolerance status (T2DM and prediabetes) in a rural Bangladeshi population. A sample of 2293 adults (≥20 years) were included in a community based cross-sectional survey in 2009. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, blood glucose (fasting and 2-h oral glucose tolerance test) and fasting serum lipids (total cholesterol, T-Chol; triglycerides, Tg; low density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C) were registered. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and regression analysis were performed. High Tg levels were seen in 26% to 64% of the participants, depending on glucose tolerance status. Low HDL-C levels were seen in all groups (>90%). Significant linear trends were observed for high T-Chol, high Tg and low HDL-C with increasing glucose intolerance (p for trend <0.001). T2DM was significantly associated with high T-Chol (Odds ratio (OR): 2.43, p < 0.001), high Tg (OR: 3.91, p < 0.001) and low HDL-C (OR: 2.17, p = 0.044). Prediabetes showed a significant association with high Tg (OR: 1.96, p < 0.001) and low HDL-C (OR: 2.93, p = 0.011). Participants with combined high Tg and low HDL-C levels had a 12.75-fold higher OR for T2DM and 4.89 OR for prediabetes. In Asian Indian populations an assessment of serum lipids is warranted not only for T2DM patients, but also for those with prediabetes.

Maternal Nutrition during Early Pregnancy and Cardiometabolic Status of Neonates at Birth.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of maternal body weight on maternal nutrition and micronutrient status in early pregnancy and potential impact on metabolic status in newborns. METHODOLOGY: The EU FP7 project GIFTS was conducted from Jan 2012 to May 2014. Demographic details and anthropometric measurements of women in the first trimester of pregnancy were obtained. Blood samples were collected for OGTT, insulin, lipid profile, serum folate, ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and red cell folate. Newborn anthropometric characteristics were observed. Cord blood samples were collected after delivery for glucose, insulin, and lipid profile of newborns. RESULTS: A total of 301 pregnant mothers, 108 overweight, 63 underweight, and 130 normal weight were included. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<30 ng/mL) and low vitamin B12 (<190 ng/l) were high, 44% and 42%, respectively, in the first trimester. Anemic women (due to B12 or iron deficiency) were 79%, while 72% had low ferritin levels. Gestational diabetes was 16%. Differences were observed between underweight and overweight mothers (P < 0.05) for fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and serum ferritin were observed. No significant difference was observed between vitamin D, serum B12, and red cell folate levels. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies was common among Pakistani women during early pregnancy despite the nonvegetarian diet that has important implications for pregnancy care in Pakistan and potentially in expatriate communities living abroad. This trial is registered with ISRCTN number 83599025.

First Trimester complications in pregnancy with diabetes.

Diabetes is the most prevalent medical condition complicating pregnancy in the world. It carries both acute and long-term health consequences for the mother and her offspring. Both preexisting (type 1 and type 2) and gestational diabetes are a high-risk state for miscarriage, stillbirths and congenital malformations in early pregnancy. Like normal pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, urinary tract infection, abdominopelvic pain, nausea, and vomiting are common presenting symptoms in early pregnancy with preexisting and gestational diabetes. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of the condition is important for improving pregnancy outcomes.

Corrigendum: Prevalence of Depression and Glucose Abnormality in an Urbanizing Rural Population of Bangladesh.

This corrects the article on p. 218 in vol. 39, PMID: 26124992.

Simple risk score to detect rural Asian Indian (Bangladeshi) adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: To develop and evaluate a simple, non-invasive, diabetes risk score for detecting individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes in rural Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 2,293 randomly selected individuals aged ≥20 years from a cross-sectional study in a rural community of Bangladesh (2009 Chandra Rural Study) was used for model development. The validity of the model was assessed in another rural cross-sectional study (2009 Thakurgaon Rural Study). The logistic regression model used included age, sex, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and hypertension status to predict individuals who were at high risk for type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: On applying the developed model to both cohorts, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.68-0.72) for the Chandra cohort and 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.68-0.74) for the Thakurgaon cohort. The risk score of >9 was shown to have the optimal cut-point to detect diabetes. This score had a sensitivity of 62.4 and 75.7%, and specificity of 67.4 and 61.6% in the two cohorts, respectively. This risk score was shown to have improved sensitivity and specificity to detect type 2 diabetes cases compared with the Thai, Indian, Omani, UK, Dutch, Portuguese and Pakistani diabetes risk scores. CONCLUSIONS: This simple, non-invasive risk score can be used to detect individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes in rural Bangladesh. Subjects with a score of 9 or above (out of 15) should undergo an oral glucose tolerance test for definitive diagnosis of diabetes.

Obesity and associated type 2 diabetes and hypertension in factory workers of Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest that the prevalence of obesity and its associate cardiometabolic risks are increasing in Bangladesh. Published data of obesity in Bangladeshi industry workers is scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of general and central obesity in Bangladeshi factory workers and their associations with diabetes and hypertension. METHODS: A total of 791 male factory workers aged ≥ 20 years in capital Dhaka city of Bangladesh were investigated in a population-based cross-sectional survey. According to the International Association for the Study of Obesity and the International Obesity Task Force guidelines for Asian population, general obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m(2), central obesity was defined as a waist circumference (WC) of ≥ 90 cm and waist hip ratio (WHR) of ≥ 0.90. Pearson's correlation coefficient and logistic regression analysis were used to observe the association between anthropometric indices (BMI, WC and WHR) and cardiometabolic risk indicators (FBG, 2 hBG, SBP and DBP). RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m(2)) and general obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) in this study population was 29.8 and 43.5% respectively. Central obesity defined by WC and WHR was 35.3 and 78.3% respectively. Both general and central obesity were found to be significantly associated with diabetes and hypertension in separate logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of general and central obesity in Bangladeshi factory workers was high, and it was associated with diabetes and hypertension.

Prevalence of obesity in a rural Asian Indian (Bangladeshi) population and its determinants.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide including Bangladesh. To assess the prevalence and associated factors of general and central obesity in a rural Bangladeshi population based on newly proposed cut off level for Asian population. METHODS: 2293 subjects aged ≥ 20 years from rural Bangladesh were randomly recruited to participate in a population-based, cross sectional survey, conducted in 2009. Both socio-demographic and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Age adjusted data for anthropometric indices were examined. RESULTS: The age standardized prevalence of overweight (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m(2)) and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) were 17.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 16.1, 19.2%) and 26.2% (95% CI: 24.4, 27.9%), respectively. The age standardized prevalence of central obesity based on WC (M ≥ 90 & F ≥ 80 cm) and WHR (M ≥ 0.90 & F ≥ 0.80) were 39.8% (95% CI: 37.9, 41.7%) and 71.6% (95% CI: 69.8, 73.4%) respectively. The result shows that prevalence of central obesity was more in female than male. Study shows middle age, medium and high socioeconomic status (SES), low education levels, physical inactivity, high consumption of carbohydrate, protein and fat, were significant risk indicators for general and central obesity. Smoking was shown as protective factor for both general and central obesity. CONCLUSIONS: In rural Bangladeshi population, the prevalence of both general and central obesity was high among both sexes with the use of newly proposed cut off points for Asian population. Gender, diet, physical activity, education levels and SES were associated with the increase prevalence of obesity.