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Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(9): 492-498
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34788
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Obesity and Weight Gain Are Associated with Increased Incidence of Hyperinsulinemia in Non-Diabetic Men

H.-M.  Lakka 1, 2 , J.  T.  Salonen 1, 2 , J.  Tuomilehto 3, 4 , G.  A.  Kaplan 5 , T.  A.  Lakka 1
  • 1Research Institute of Public Health, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
  • 2Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland
  • 3Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
  • 4Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland
  • 5Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.
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Publication History

Received: 18 September 2001

Accepted after revision: 23 April 2002

Publication Date:
17 October 2002 (online)

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Abstract

We investigated the temporal relationships between obesity, weight change and hyperinsulinemia in a population-based 4-year follow-up study of 695 middle-aged, non-diabetic, and normoinsulinemic men. Thirty-eight men developed hyperinsulinemia during the follow-up (fasting serum insulin ≥ 12.0 mU/l). In logistic regression analysis adjusting for other risk factors, men with body mass index of ≥ 26.7 kg/m2 (highest third) had a 6.6-fold (p = 0.001) risk of developing hyperinsulinemia, compared with men with body mass index of < 24.4 kg/m2 (lowest third). Correspondingly, men with waist-to-hip ratio of ≥ 0.95 (highest third) had a 3.5-fold (p = 0.028) incidence of hyperinsulinemia compared with men with waist-to-hip ratio of < 0.90 (lowest third). Weight gain in middle age and weight gain from the age of 20 years to middle age were also associated with increased risk of hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia at baseline was not associated with weight gain during the follow-up. This prospective population-based study emphasizes the importance of avoiding obesity and weight gain during adulthood in preventing hyperinsulinemia.

Key words

Obesity - Weight Gain - Hyperinsulinemia - Insulin Resistance - Population Studies - Cohort Study

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H.-M. Lakka, M.D., Ph.D.

Human Genomics Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center ·

Louisiana State University · 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge · Louisiana 70808-4124 · USA

Phone: + 1 (225) 763 2631

Fax: + 1 (225) 763 3166

Email: lakkah@pbrc.edu