Long-term weight fluctuation and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in white women.

The association of long-term weight fluctuation with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was investigated for a population of 8232 white female members of the Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) weight-awareness program, between the ages of 40 and 50 years. An index of weight fluctuation was developed using current weight, weight at the time maximum height was reached, and recalled maximum and minimum weights for the third and fourth decades for each member of the study population. A logistic regression of diabetes prevalence as a function of weight fluctuation, waist-hip ratio, relative weight, and family history index showed standardized odds ratios of 1.10, 1.22, 1.19, and 1.06, respectively. The results suggest that the magnitude of long-term weight fluctuation is associated with the development of NIDDM.