The Higher Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in Men Than in Women is Associated with Differences in Visceral Fat Mass

• Context: We have previously found that visceral fat is a stronger predictor for cardiovascular risk factors than body mass index (BMI). Objective: To investigate the prevalence of diabetes in elderly men and women in relation to objectively assessed visceral fat volume. Design and settings: The cohort consisted of a population-based sample of 705 men and 688 women, all aged 70 years at the time of examination. Main outcome measures: Associations between body fat estimates, plasma glucose level and diabetes prevalence were investigated using multivariable-adjusted statistical models.Results:Theprevalence of type2 diabetes was 14.6% in men and 9.1% inwomen (p0.001). Mean BMI was slightly higher in men than in women (27. 3 vs. 26.6 kg/m2, p 0.01), with a greater difference in mean visceral fat mass (1987 vs. 1087 g, p 0.001). After adjustment for physical activity and smoking, men had about twice the odds of having type 2 diabetes compared with women (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.38–2.76). The inclusion of BMI in this model did not change the risk associated with male sex (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.34–2.77). However, when visceral fat was included as a covariate, male sex was not associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.51–1.18).Conclusions: The higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in older men than in older women was associated with larger amount of visceral fat in men. In contrast, differences in BMI was not associated with this difference.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Keyword

medicin

Medicine

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)