A high caloric intake from fat sources and prevailing obesity in the S
audi population prompted this study. Waist to hip circumference ratio
(WHR), fasting cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin were measured in
76 non-insulin dependent adult Saudi diabetics. Serum LDL, HDL and VL
DL were measured in 45 of these diabetics. WHR of Saudi diabetics was
higher (0.98 in males, 0.91 in females) than reported for diabetics fr
om the West. Serum cholesterol levels (5.52 mmol/L in males, 5.98 mmol
/L in females) were higher than reported in the past for normal Saudi
subjects. Lipid profile was strikingly different in the two sexes. Mal
e diabetics (n=28) had significantly higher WHR associated with elevat
ed triglycerides and VLDL but a lower HDL/cholesterol ratio. Female di
abetics (n=48) were obese and had healthier HDL levels. Interestingly,
LDL cholesterol changed reciprocally with WHR in female diabetics. Th
is preliminary study reveals the presence of significant central adipo
sity and an atherogenic lipid profile in Saudi diabetics. The sex diff
erences in lipids indicates the need for studies involving lipoprotein
metabolism in Saudis. Further, an increase in atherosclerosis-related
disorders should be expected in Saudi diabetics.