Association between Triglyceride Glucose Index and Insulin Resistance among Thai Obese Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Global adolescence obesity is considered as the risk factor associated with the development of Insulin Resistance (IR). And, Triglyceride Glucose (TyG) index has been used as an alternative tool to estimate IR. Thailand has also encountered the same trend especially the adolescence obesity risk is increasing because of malconsumption behaviour. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the TyG index and IR among Thai adolescents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 300 obese adolescents selected from the Obesity Outpatient Clinic of Mahasarakham Provincial Public Health Office during 2009 to 2013. Anthropometric and IR risk factors were measured. The TyG index was calculated as in {fasting Triglycerides (TG) (mg/dL)×fasting blood sugar (mg/dL)}/2, while IR was estimated by Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Data were analysed by using a multiple logistics regression at 0.05 level of significance running with STATA version 13.0 software. Results: All subjects were divided into tertile groups based on the TyG index to analyse statistically significant differences (p<0.05). ANOVA revealed that there were significant differences in IR risk factors (Basal Metabolic Index, Fasting Blood Sugar level, and Triglyceride level) among the groups. Both TyG index and HOMA-IR level were statistically highly significant among the tertiles (p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that TyG index can be used as an association factor for IR, in a fully adjusted model after adjusting BMI and Tricep thickness (3.06; 95% CI 1.780, 5.170; p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of the TyG index were significantly associated with IR in thai obese adolescents hence, supporting the use of TyG index as a surrogate marker for IR.