Abstract
BackgroundAlthough low child and adult grip strength is associated with adverse cardiometabolic health, how grip strength across the life course associates with type 2 diabetes is unknown. This study identified the relative contribution of grip strength measured at specific life stages (childhood, young adulthood, mid-adulthood) with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes in mid-adulthood.MethodsBetween 1985 and 2019, 263 participants had their grip strength measured using an isometric dynamometer in childhood (9–15 years), young adulthood (28–36 years) and mid-adulthood (38–49 years). In mid-adulthood, a fasting blood sample was collected and tested for glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Participants were categorized as having prediabetes or type 2 diabetes if fasting glucose levels were ≥ 5.6 mmol or if HbA1c levels were ≥ 5.7% (≥ 39 mmol/mol). A Bayesian relevant life course exposure model examined the association between lifelong grip strength and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.ResultsGrip strength at each time point was equally associated with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes in mid-adulthood (childhood: 37%, young adulthood: 36%, mid-adulthood: 28%). A one standard deviation increase in cumulative grip strength was associated with 34% reduced odds of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes in mid-adulthood (OR 0.66, 95% credible interval 0.40, 0.98).ConclusionsGreater grip strength across the life course could protect against the development of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Strategies aimed at increasing muscular strength in childhood and maintaining behaviours to improve strength into adulthood could improve future cardiometabolic health.Video abstract9We8fDWFvcvmu4LvwGw9g4The Association Between Grip Strength Measured in Childhood, Young- and Mid-adulthood and Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes in Mid-adulthood
Highlights
Low child and adult grip strength is associated with adverse cardiometabolic health, how grip strength across the life course associates with type 2 diabetes is unknown
This study aimed to identify the life course model that best describes the association between grip strength measured in childhood, young adulthood and mid-adulthood and the risk of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes in mid-adulthood
As reflected by the lifetime effect, a one standard deviation (SD) increase in life course cumulative grip strength was associated with 34% reduced odds of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes in mid-adulthood
Summary
Low child and adult grip strength is associated with adverse cardiometabolic health, how grip strength across the life course associates with type 2 diabetes is unknown. Greater childhood muscular strength is associated with lower levels of insulin resistance and beta cell function in adulthood [4, 5], while findings from a Swedish cohort of male military conscripts showed low muscular strength measured at age 18 years to associate with a 52% increased risk of type 2 diabetes 10–40 years later [6]. These findings suggest childhood muscular strength, often measured as grip strength, could be a potential early life target for strategies aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Previous observational studies have been limited to two time point analyses
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