BACKGROUND: Despite having lower average body mass indexes (BMIs) than do whites, Asians are at high risk of type 2 diabetes, possibly because of their greater central adiposity. The criteria for identifying individuals at risk of obesity-related conditions are usually not population specific. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine whether the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) overweight and obesity guidelines are useful for identifying diabetes risk in Japanese Americans. DESIGN: This was a prospective, cohort study of 466 nondiabetic Japanese Americans [age: 52.2 +/- 0.6 y; BMI (in kg/m(2)): 24.1 +/- 0.2; +/- SEM]. Diabetes status at a 5-y follow-up visit was assessed with an oral-glucose-tolerance test. RESULTS: Among 240 subjects aged < or = 55 y, incident diabetes was strongly associated with overweight (BMI > or = 25) at baseline [relative risk (RR): 22.4; 95% CI: 2.7, 183; adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and family history] and weight gain of > 10 kg since the age of 20 y (adjusted RR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.4, 14.5). NHLBI definitions of central obesity (waist circumference > or = 88 cm for women and > or = 102 cm for men) were unsuitable for this population because only 15 of 240 subjects met these criteria. A waist circumference greater than or equal to the third tertile was associated with diabetes (adjusted RR: 5.4; 95% CI: 1.7, 17.0). Among 226 subjects aged >55 y, incident diabetes was not associated with BMI, weight gain, or waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: NHLBI definitions are useful for identifying overweight Japanese Americans aged < 55 y who are at high risk of diabetes. Although central adiposity is an important risk factor, the guidelines for waist circumference are insensitive predictors of diabetes risk in this population.
BACKGROUND: Despite having lower average body mass indexes (BMIs) than do whites, Asians are at high risk of type 2 diabetes, possibly because of their greater central adiposity. The criteria for identifying individuals at risk of obesity-related conditions are usually not population specific. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine whether the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) overweight and obesity guidelines are useful for identifying diabetes risk in Japanese Americans. DESIGN: This was a prospective, cohort study of 466 nondiabetic Japanese Americans [age: 52.2 +/- 0.6 y; BMI (in kg/m(2)): 24.1 +/- 0.2; +/- SEM]. Diabetes status at a 5-y follow-up visit was assessed with an oral-glucose-tolerance test. RESULTS: Among 240 subjects aged < or = 55 y, incident diabetes was strongly associated with overweight (BMI > or = 25) at baseline [relative risk (RR): 22.4; 95% CI: 2.7, 183; adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and family history] and weight gain of > 10 kg since the age of 20 y (adjusted RR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.4, 14.5). NHLBI definitions of central obesity (waist circumference > or = 88 cm for women and > or = 102 cm for men) were unsuitable for this population because only 15 of 240 subjects met these criteria. A waist circumference greater than or equal to the third tertile was associated with diabetes (adjusted RR: 5.4; 95% CI: 1.7, 17.0). Among 226 subjects aged >55 y, incident diabetes was not associated with BMI, weight gain, or waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: NHLBI definitions are useful for identifying overweight Japanese Americans aged < 55 y who are at high risk of diabetes. Although central adiposity is an important risk factor, the guidelines for waist circumference are insensitive predictors of diabetes risk in this population.
Authors: Gail G Harrison; Marjorie Kagawa-Singer; Susan B Foerster; Henry Lee; Loan Pham Kim; Tu-Uyen Nguyen; Allyn Fernandez-Ami; Valerie Quinn; Dileep G Bal Journal: Cancer Date: 2005-12-15 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Fernando Gerchman; Jenny Tong; Kristina M Utzschneider; Rebecca L Hull; Sakeneh Zraika; Jayalakshmi Udayasankar; Marguerite J McNeely; Dennis L Andress; Donna L Leonetti; Edward J Boyko; Wilfred Y Fujimoto; Steven E Kahn Journal: Diabetes Res Clin Pract Date: 2006-12-04 Impact factor: 5.602
Authors: Fernando Gerchman; Jenny Tong; Kristina M Utzschneider; Sakeneh Zraika; Jayalakshmi Udayasankar; Marguerite J McNeely; Darcy B Carr; Donna L Leonetti; Bessie A Young; Ian H de Boer; Edward J Boyko; Wilfred Y Fujimoto; Steven E Kahn Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2009-07-07 Impact factor: 5.958