Energy balance
Higher current Body Mass Index (BMI) is the dominant risk factor for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in men, with risk increasing continuously and markedly at BMI levels ≥29.0 kg/m², even after controlling for fat distribution.
Maintaining a BMI below 24.0 kg/m² is the most effective strategy for preventing type 2 diabetes in men. Risk increases continuously with weight, meaning that even modest weight gain or being in the 'normal' weight range (24-29 kg/m²) carries elevated risk compared to leaner weights. Focus on preventing weight gain throughout adulthood rather than just treating obesity after it occurs.
Men with a BMI of ≥ 35 kg/m2 had a multivariate RR of 42.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.0-80.6) compared with men with a BMI <23.0 kg/m2... attained BMI was the dominant risk factor for NIDDM; even men of average relative weight had significantly elevated RRs.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (n=27,983), long follow-up (5 years), rigorous multivariate adjustment, and validation of self-reported measures.
Source
Obesity, Fat Distribution, and Weight Gain as Risk Factors for Clinical Diabetes in Men
June M. Chan et al. · Diabetes Care · 1994
DOI 10.2337/diacare.17.9.961
More from this paper
- Absolute weight gain throughout adulthood and early adult obesity (BMI at age 21) are significant independent risk factors for diabetes, with risk increasing steadily with the amount of weight gained regardless of starting BMI.Strong
- Waist circumference is a better indicator of diabetes risk than Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) because it has less measurement error and remains a significant predictor even after controlling for BMI, whereas WHR's association is largely explained by overall obesity.Strong
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →