Body mass index impact on health care utilization among people with diabetes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background Diabetes mellitus and obesity represent public health challenges, with implications for healthcare utilization. While obesity increases the risk of diabetes and related comorbidities, its impact on healthcare service use among diabetic patients in the Saudi context remains underexplored. Objectives Our study aimed to examine the associations between BMI categories and patterns of healthcare utilization among People with diabetes. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 2024 using medical records from DSFH, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, including 125,660 People with diabetes. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic, anthropometric, and utilization characteristics. Associations between BMI categories and demographic/utilization variables were assessed using chi-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for healthcare utilization across BMI categories. Results The mean age was 58.7 years (SD = 14.7), and the mean BMI was 31.5 kg/m 2 (SD = 5.9). Overweight and obesity were prevalent in 58.8 and 30.0% of patients, respectively, With significant associations between BMI and demographic/utilization variables ( p < 0.001). Regression models revealed that overweight [OR = 1.43, 95% CI (1.37, 1.50)] and obese patients [OR = 1.83, 95% CI (1.75, 1.91)] utilized more outpatient services. In contrast, underweight patients had significantly higher odds of inpatient admissions [OR = 2.14, 95% CI (1.84, 2.48)]. Insurance was associated with increased outpatient and emergency utilization. Conclusion BMI and demographic factors are significant predictors of healthcare utilization among People with diabetes.