Longitudinally evaluated the relationship between body fat percentage and the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus: Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES)

Abstract

Background Body fat plays the significant role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. However, it is not fully identified how body fat percentage (BF%) has an impact on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, this study was to evaluate the incidental risk for T2DM according to BF% level. Methods In a community-based Korean cohort, 5972 Korean adults were divided into quintile groups by BF% and followed up for 10 years to monitor the development of T2DM. Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) for T2DM according to BF% quintile. Additionally, subgroup analysis was conducted by low and high level of BF% (cut-off: 25 in men and 35 in women) and body mass index (BMI). Results In adjusted model, compared to the BF% quintile 1 group, the risk for T2DM significantly increased over BF% of 22.8% in men and 32.9% in women (≥quintile 4). The level of BF% related to the increased risk for T2DM was lower in non-obese men (22.8%) than obese men (28.4%). In subgroup analysis, men with low BMI (<25) and high BF% (≥25) had the highest risk for T2DM than other subgroups (HRs: 1.83 (1.33–2.52)). However, this association did not show the statistical significance in women (HRs: 1.63 (0.98–2.72)). Conclusion The incidental risk for T2DM significantly increased over the specific level of BF%, which was lower in non-obese population than obese population. Gender difference was suggested in the incidental relationship between BF% and T2DM.