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Weight Distribution and Diabetes
Category: Conditions of the Endocrine System
According to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition waist circumferance may be just as important as body mass index (BMI) when determining one's risk for Type 2 diabetes.
The body mass index has traditionally been used as an indicator for risk for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. But more recent evidence has pointed to abdominal adipose mass as a significant indicator of diabetes risk.
In order to determine if one or the other coorelates more significantly with adult onset diabetes risk researchers in Germany examined information from nearly 6000 men and women enrolled in the MONICA study over a 9 year period. Detailed physical exam included height, weight, waist circumference, BMI, and waist-to-height ratio (WHR).
During the follow-up period about 8% of men and 5% of women developed Type 2 diabetes. When incidence was compared to weight, height, and waist measurements significant coorelations between BMI and waist circumference measurments in both men and women were found.
As overall BMI increased so did the risk of diabetes. This effect was more pronounced in women than men. The same was true for waist circumference, as it increased so did risk. What they also found was a cumulative effect. If both BMI and waist circumference were high, the risk increased to a greater degree versus if just one or the other was elevated.
The waist to height ratio had smaller effect on diabetes risk.
The researchers concluded that results were strong enought to recommend that waist circumference be a standard measurement taken at annual physicals just as height, weight, and BMI are assessed. It may be able to indicate those at risk who may not have a high BMI.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on May 11, 2014 11:00 AM
