Relative fat mass strongly associated with new-onset T2D
Netherlands: Research published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine has highlighted that Relative Fat Mass (RFM) is strongly associated with new-onset Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in the Dutch population.
The researchers said that this could be used routinely in the general practice setting for estimating the future risk of diabetes.
Obesity is a global public health challenge. Along with the rising rate of obesity, the incidence of chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes (T2D) has also increased. BMI measurement is most common for screening for obesity.
Relative fat mass (RFM) estimates the whole-body fat percentage. This obesity index is more accurate than BMI in reflecting the whole body fat percentage. It is sex-specific and relatively easy to calculate.
There need to be more large-scale studies that examine the predictive value of Relative fat mass (RFM) in the general population for new-onset Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
Navin Suthahan and colleagues postulated that RFM would be a stronger predictor of new-onset T2D.
The team assessed associations of Relative fat mass (RFM), BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with incident T2D in the PREVEND cohort. The results were compared with those from the LifeLines and Rotterdam studies.
The study summary is given below:
- The researchers collected data from three Dutch community-based cohorts free of baseline diabetes, namely, the PREVEND cohort (median age and follow-up duration: 48.0 and 12.5 years), Lifelines (median age and follow-up duration: 45.5 and 3.8 years) and Rotterdam (median age and follow-up duration: 68.0 and 13.9 years, respectively) cohorts.
- 522 PREVEND participants out of 7961, constituting 6.6 %, developed T2D.
- All adiposity indices were associated with incident T2D significantly (multivariable model).
1 SD increase in Body Mass Index, WC and WHR increased the risk of developing T2D by 68%, 77% and 61%.
- The Hazard ratio for BMI, WC and WHR was 1.68, 1.77 and 1.61.
- An increase in RFM caused a 119% increased risk of having an HR of 2.19.
- The strongest associations were observed in young individuals < 40 years of age having HR 2.90
- Results were broadly similar in Lifelines (93,870 participants) and Rotterdam (n = 5279) cohorts.
Relative fat mass (RFM) is strongly associated with new-onset T2D, they wrote.
The researchers concluded, in young individuals, obesity control is essential to reduce the risk of developing T2D in the community.
Further reading:
Suthahar, Navin, et al. “Associations of Relative Fat Mass, a New Index of Adiposity, With Type-2 Diabetes in the General Population.” European Journal of Internal Medicine, Elsevier BV, Jan. 2023. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2022.12.024.
