OBJECTIVE The increasing burdens of obesity and diabetes are two of the most prominent threats to the health of populations of developed and developing countries alike. The Central America Diabetes Initiative (CAMDI) is the first study to examine the prevalence of diabetes in Central America.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The CAMDI survey was a cross-sectional survey based on a probabilistic sample of the noninstitutionalized population of five Central American populations conducted between 2003 and 2006. The total sample population was 10,822, of whom 7,234 (67%) underwent anthropometry measurement and a fasting blood glucose or 2-h oral glucose tolerance test.

RESULTS The total prevalence of diabetes was 8.5%, but was higher in Belize (12.9%) and lower in Honduras (5.4%). Of the screened population, 18.6% had impaired glucose tolerance/impaired fasting glucose.

CONCLUSIONS As this population ages, the prevalence of diabetes is likely to continue to rise in a dramatic and devastating manner. Preventive strategies must be quickly introduced.

Apparent changes in access to cheap, energy-dense food, urbanization, and adoption of sedentary lifestyles in the countries of Central America have raised concerns about the rapid emergence of obesity and diabetes in the region. Diabetes and related chronic conditions in Central America have been largely neglected by epidemiologic and surveillance programs in recent decades, however, because other issues, such as under-nutrition, infectious diseases, and armed conflict, were regarded as much more pressing health threats.

The Central America Diabetes Initiative (CAMDI) is the first population-based multinational study to examine the prevalence of diabetes and risk factors in Central America. We report here the main findings from the multinational analyses of this survey.