Survey procedure
The methodology was the same in both the baseline and followup
surveys. It consisted of questionnaire-based assessments
of lifestyle behaviours, a physical examination and blood
collection. Two interviewers were trained and collected the
data during house visits. After obtaining informed consent and
ensuring adequate privacy, individuals were interviewed faceto-
face using the pretested questionnaires. Details regarding
sociodemographic factors, predisposing biological factors
like family history of T2DM, and behavioural components
(physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption) were
collected. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight and
waist circumference) were taken.
The Accu-CheK® Advantage glucometer was used to measure
fasting blood glucose (FBG). The instrument was standardized
with the Olympus AU400 automatic analyzer in the
Department of Biochemistry, JIPMER. Sixty blood samples
from patients of JIPMER’s outpatient department were
assessed for blood glucose values. The correlation coefficient
was 0.84 (P < 0.001). Indian Council of Medical Research
Guidelines for Management of Type 2 Diabetes, 200511 were
used for diagnosis and classification of diabetes. On the basis
of FBG, subjects were classified as having normal glucose
tolerance (NGT): < 110 mg/dL; prediabetes: 110–125 mg/dL;
and suspected T2DM: > 125 mg/dL. For those with suspected
T2DM, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out
on a separate day. Subjects with FBG of > 125 mg/dL and/
or postprandial blood glucose of > 200 mg/dL were labelled
as diabetic. An incident T2DM was defined as an individual
with no T2DM at the baseline survey but with T2DM during
the follow-up survey. In both surveys, diabetics were informed
about their condition, given health education, and were referred
to the health facility for further management.