Lumori, Boniface Amanee EliasLodiong, Lodiong Jackson DumoUcama, Ufoymungu PatrickIzudi, Jonathan2026-03-052026-03-052026-02-26Lumori, B. A. E., Dumo, L. J. L., Patrick, U. U., & Izudi, J. (2026). Magnitude and correlates of overweight or obesity among adults with diabetes mellitus duration of five or more years in rural Uganda: A cross-sectional study. Global Epidemiology, 100254.2590-1133https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/930This study sheds light on the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults living with long-term diabetes in rural Uganda, revealing the human impact of coexisting conditions such as hypertension and the challenges of managing diabetes over time. By centering the experiences of rural patients, the research highlights the urgent need for tailored prevention, education, and integrated care to address non-communicable diseases. The findings advance academic understanding and inform practical strategies that support SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by strengthening disease prevention and management, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by encouraging healthier nutrition, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by focusing on health disparities in rural populations. Aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, this work underscores the importance of preventive healthcare and integrated disease management in improving population health and fostering sustainable development.Background Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for micro and macrovascular diseases, with diabetes mellitus exacerbating these burdens. We determined the prevalence of overweight or obesity and its associated factors among adults with diabetes mellitus with a duration of ≥5 years at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Southwestern Uganda. Methods This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted over 5 months, from November 2017 to March 2018. We collected demographic and clinical data and measured body mass index (BMI). The outcome was overweight or obesity, measured as the proportion of individuals with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or more. We used binary logistic regression to estimate associations of a priori selected variables with the outcome. Results Of 189 participants, 138 (73%) were female, the mean age was 61.5 ± 11.1 years, and the median duration of diabetes mellitus since diagnosis was 10 years (interquartile range, 7–15). Overall, 122 (64.5%) participants were overweight or obese. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, former cigarette smoking (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1–0.6), every 1-year increase in the duration of diabetes mellitus (AOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.1), and hypertension (AOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2–6.5) were independently associated with overweight or obesity. Conclusion Overweight/obesity is prevalent among adults with diabetes mellitus duration of 5 years and over, in a rural Ugandan population. Former cigarette smokers have a decreased likelihood of being overweight or obese, while hypertension and every 1-year increase in the duration of diabetes mellitus are associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight or obese.enOverweightObesityDiabetes mellitusSmokingUgandansSub-Saharan AfricaArticle