Obesity and diabetes mellitus in the Arab world

Obesity has led to a dramatic increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among the Arab population over the past 2 decades. Obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance, which, when coupled with relative insulin deficiency, leads to the development of overt type 2 diabetes mellitus. This comprehensive review summarizes the key findings in the published literature pertaining to the prevalence, risk factors, and genetics of obesity in the Arab population. The mechanisms of obesity-associated diabetes mellitus are also elaborated. In addition, we have reviewed several management strategies and the perceived barriers to their effectiveness in obese Arabs.