Abstract
The state of Qatar suffers from diabetes epidemic due to obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. However, the prevalence of insulin resistance prior to obesity, which could play an important role in the high prevalence of diabetes, has not yet been described. This study aims to compare the prevalence of insulin resistance in apparently healthy non-obese and obese participants from Qatar and identify the predictors of insulin resistance in different body mass index (BMI)-groups. In this cross-sectional study, 150 young healthy females from Qatar were dichotomized into four groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese) based on their BMI. Anthropometric measures as well as fasting plasma levels of lipids, adipokines, blood glucose and insulin were recorded. The prevalence of insulin resistance as per homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was estimated and differences between insulin sensitive and insulin resistant were compared. Linear models were used to identify predictors of insulin resistance in every BMI group. Prevalence of insulin resistance in non-obese healthy females from Qatar ranges between 7% and 37% and increases with BMI. Overall, predictors of insulin resistance in the Qatari population are triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and free fat mass but vary according to the BMI group. The main predictors were triglycerides in normal weight, triglycerides/HDL in overweight and triglycerides/HDL and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in obese individuals. The high prevalence of insulin resistance in non-obese Qataris may partially explain diabetes epidemic. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings and identify underlying causes for insulin resistance in non-obese individuals in Qatar, aiming at targeted intervention before diabetes onset.
Highlights
The global prevalence of diabetes among adults of 20–79 years of age has risen from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.8% (95% confidence interval 7.2%–11.3%) in 2017 [1]
Differences between insulin sensitive (IS) and insulin resistant (IR) were tested by an independent sample t test or Mann–Whitney U test
Low density lipoprotein (LDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Apo lipoprotein A (ApoA), Differences between IS and IR were tested by an independent sample t test or Mann–Whitney U test
Summary
The global prevalence of diabetes among adults of 20–79 years of age has risen from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.8% (95% confidence interval 7.2%–11.3%) in 2017 [1]. The epidemiologic transition to sedentary lifestyle has contributed significantly to this epidemic, especially in the developing countries and among certain ethnicities [2]. Qatar is a clear example of such a transition as a healthy life style (pearl hunting and sea food-diet) has dramatically changed in the past 5 decades as the country’s economy has become mostly dependent on gas and oil [3,4]. The overall prevalence of type II diabetes (T2D). Among adult Qatari population is currently alarmingly high (23.3%) with greater propensity among women [5]. Public Health 2020, 17, 5088; doi:10.3390/ijerph17145088 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
