Frequency of low calcium intake,a risk factor for development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus in pakistani women

Objective: to determine the frequency of low calcium intake as a risk factor for development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in pakistani women. study design: cross sectional survey. place and duration of study: king edward medical university and allied hospitals lahore,from april 2010 till october 2010. methodology: 450 type 2 diabetic women were enrolled and interviewed for daily calcium intake according to a predesigned questionnaire. average daily calcium intake of the subjects was calculated using daily calcium calculator table. results: mean daily calcium intake of the patients was 787 mg/day. 167 (37%) patients had daily calcium intake less the 500mg,173(38%) patients in the range of 500-999mg/day,40(9%)patients in the rang of 1000-1499mg/day,59(13%) patients in the range of 1500-1999 mg/day,9(2%) patients in the range of 2000-2499 mg/day and 2 patients in the rang of 2500-2999 mg/day. 366 (81%) patients had low calcium intake according to rda (recommended daily allowance) and 84 (18%) patients had normal calcium intake according to rda. conclusions: average daily intake of calcium is low among type 2 diabetic females,in comparison to rda and acts as a risk factor for development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus.