The fat-to-lean mass ratio, a novel anthropometric index, is associated to glucose metabolic disorders

Eur J Intern Med. 2019 May:63:74-78. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2019.03.017. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to evaluate whether the Fat-to-Lean Mass (FyM) ratio is associated to glucose metabolic disorders (GMD).

Design: Cross-sectional population based study.

Methods: Eligible subjects were healthy men and non-pregnant women with new diagnosis of GMD that were allocated into following groups: 1) Normal Glucose Tolerance (NGT), 2) Diabetes, 3) impaired fasting glucose (IFG) + impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), 4) IGT, and 5) IFG. The FyM index [Total body fat (Kg)/total lean mass (Kg)], and the odds ratio (OR) between FyM index and GMD were estimated.

Results: A total of 875 individuals with average age 41.62 ± 12.3 were enrolled; of them, 645 (73.1%) women and 230 (22.8%) men; 521 (59.5%), 71 (8.1%), 85 (9.7%), 53 (6.0%), and 145 (16.6%) individuals were allocated into groups with NGT, diabetes, IFG + IGT, IGT, and IFG, respectively. The FyM was significantly associated with prediabetes and diabetes in women (OR 4.2; 95%CI 3.0-11.1 and OR = 7.2; 95%CI 2.0-15.2) and men (OR = 2.6; 95%CI 1.1-6.7 and OR = 4.6; 95%CI 1.4-15.1). In the overall population, the OR between FyM index with IGT, IFG, and IFG + IGT was 8.4 (95%CI 2.6-17.4), 5.2 (95%CI 2.6-10.6), and 6.1 (95%CI 1.8-9.5).

Conclusion: The FyM index was strongly associated with all categories of GMD.

Keywords: Fat; Impaired fasting glucose; Impaired glucose tolerance; Muscle; Type 2 diabetes.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / physiopathology*
  • Adiposity*
  • Adult
  • Anthropometry
  • Blood Glucose
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Glucose Intolerance
  • Glucose Metabolism Disorders / classification
  • Glucose Metabolism Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Glucose Metabolism Disorders / physiopathology
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose