Higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in men than in women is associated with differences in visceral fat mass

Anna Nordström, Jenny Hadrévi, Tommy Olsson, Paul W. Franks, Peter Nordström

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Context: We have previously found that visceral fat is a stronger predictor for cardiovascular risk factors than body mass index (BMI). Objective: This study sought to investigate the prevalence of diabetes in elderly men and women in relation to objectively assessed visceral fat volume. Design and Setting: The cohort consisted of a population-based sample of 705 men and 688 women, all age 70 y 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: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 14.6% in men and 9.1% in women (P <.001). Mean BMIwasslightlyhigherinmenthaninwomen(27.3vs26.6kg/m2; P =.01),withagreaterdifference in mean visceral fat mass (1987 vs 1077 g; P <.001). After adjustment for physical activity and smoking, men had about/approximately twice the odds of having type 2 diabetes compared with women (odds ratio [OR], 1.95; 95% confidence interval [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, whenvisceralfatwasincludedasacovariate,malesexwasnotassociatedwithincreasedriskoftype 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3740-3746
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume101
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016 Oct 1

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Endocrinology and Diabetes

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