Associations of hip circumference and height with incidence of type 2 diabetes: the Isfahan diabetes prevention study

Evaluating the association between anthropometric parameters and successful aging in older adults

This study aimed to determine the relationship between successful aging (SA) and anthropometric parameters in older adults. We used body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference to reflect anthropometric parameters. SA was assessed by the following five aspects: self-rated health, self-rated psychological status or mood, cognitive function, activities of daily life, and physical activity. Logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between anthropometric parameters and SA. Results showed that larger BMI, waist circumference, and calf circumference are related to a higher prevalence of SA in older women; greater waist circumference and calf circumference are associated with a higher rate of SA in old-old adults. These findings suggest that the greater BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference are associated with a higher rate of SA in older adults, and the associations are influenced to some extent by the sex and age.

Gender Differences Between the Phenotype of Short Stature and the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown that there are significant regional and gender differences in the association between the phenotype of short stature and diabetes mellitus (DM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the gender difference between the phenotype of short stature and the risk of DM in the Chinese population.

METHODS

The sample included 116,661 adults from 32 locations of 11 cities in China, of which the average height of men and women was 171.65 and 160.06 cm, respectively. Investigators retrospectively reviewed annual physical examination results for follow-up observations and set confirmed DM events as the outcome of interest. Multivariate Cox regression, restricted cubic spline, and piecewise regression models were used to check the association between height and DM risk.

RESULTS

During an average observation period of 3.1 years, there were 2,681 of 116,661 participants who developed new-onset DM, with a male to female ratio of 2.4 to 1. After full adjustment for confounders, we confirmed that there was a significant negative correlation between height and DM risk in Chinese women (HR per 10 cm increase: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.98), but not in men (HR per 10 cm increase: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.98-1.14). Additionally, through restricted cubic spline and piecewise regression analysis, we determined that the height of 157-158 cm may be the critical point for short stature used to assess the risk of DM in Chinese women.

CONCLUSIONS

In the Chinese population, female short stature phenotype is related to increased DM risk, among which 157-158 cm may be the saturation effect point of female short stature for predicting DM risk.

Relationship between the short stature and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance markers in workers of a private educational institution in Peru

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Short stature has been linked with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, only one study has been conducted in Latin American adults. We aimed to assess the association between short stature and MetS in workers of a private educational institution in Peru. In addition, we evaluated the association between height and surrogate markers of insulin resistance (IR).

METHODS

We performed an analytical cross-sectional study. We categorized the height in tertiles and evaluated MetS according to the Latin American Diabetes Association statement. We used the triglycerides and glucose (TyG) index and the triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) ratio as IR markers. We elaborated crude and adjusted Poisson generalized linear models to evaluate the association between height tertiles and MetS. For the IR markers, we carried out crude and adjusted linear regressions.

RESULTS

We analyzed 1080 participants and the overall prevalence of MetS was 16.2%. In the adjusted Poisson generalized linear model, using the high tertile as a reference, we found statistically significant differences in the prevalence of MetS with the low and intermediate tertile (aPR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.48-2.77 and aPR = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.01-1.99; respectively). In the gender-stratified analysis, we found statistical significance between height and MetS when comparing high and low tertile for both genders. For IR markers, we found an inverse association between the height and TyG index (aβ = -0.14; 95%CI: 0.19 to -0.10) and TG/HDL-c ratio (aβ = -0.62; 95%CI: 0.84 to -0.39). When we stratified by gender, the association for both secondary outcomes and height remained statistically significant in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We found an association between short stature and the prevalence of MetS and IR markers. We need studies with national representative samples to define the threshold of short stature with better sensitivity and specificity for the screening of MetS.

The relationship between adult height and diabetes in India: A countrywide cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

One major aspect of the epidemiological transition happening in India is the increased diabetes prevalence. Poor environmental conditions in early childhood potentially can increase the risk of developing diabetes in adulthood. Adults' height as an indirect indicator might reflect such conditions. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between adult height as a proxy for early childhood conditions and the risk of developing diabetes in India.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used national representative data of the latest National Family Health Survey (2015-2016), comprising 512 616 women aged 20 to 49 and 87 281 men aged 20 to 54. We applied the multivariable fractional polynomials approach in logistic regression models to allow for nonlinear relationships between height and diabetes, separated by sex. Additionally, we fitted logistic regression models with height categories. Fixed effects linear probability models were used to control for potential confounding.

RESULTS

The study revealed a linear relationship between increasing height and increasing diabetes risk among men. Among women, the shortest were at the highest risk (not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

Among Indian men, being taller increases the risk of developing diabetes, which contradicts findings from other countries. In contrast, the shortest women seem to be at the greatest risk. Hence, public health interventions in India might be well advised to focus more on the nutrition status of young girls.

Relation between Baseline Height and New Diabetes Development: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Short stature and leg length are associated with risk of diabetes and obesity. However, it remains unclear whether this association is observed in Asians. We evaluated the association between short stature and increased risk for diabetes using the Korean National Health Screening (KNHS) dataset.

METHODS

We assessed diabetes development in 2015 in 21,122,422 non-diabetic Koreans (mean age 43 years) enrolled in KNHS from 2009 to 2012 using International Classification of Diseases 10th (ICD-10) code and anti-diabetic medication prescription. Risk was measured in age- and sex-dependent quintile groups of baseline height (20 to 39, 40 to 59, ≥60 years).

RESULTS

During median 5.6-year follow-up, 532,918 cases (2.5%) of diabetes occurred. The hazard ratio (HR) for diabetes development gradually increased from the 5th (reference) to 1st quintile group of baseline height after adjustment for confounding factors (1.000, 1.076 [1.067 to 1.085], 1.097 [1.088 to 1.107], 1.141 [1.132 to 1.151], 1.234 [1.224 to 1.244]), with similar results in analysis by sex. The HR per 5 cm height increase was lower than 1.00 only in those with fasting blood glucose (FBG) below 100 mg/dL (0.979 [0.975 to 0.983]), and in lean individuals (body mass index [BMI] 18.5 to 23 kg/m²: 0.993 [0.988 to 0.998]; BMI <18.5 kg/m²: 0.918 [0.9 to 0.935]).

CONCLUSION

Height was inversely associated with diabetes risk in this nationwide study of Korean adults. This association did not differ by sex, and was significant in lean individuals and those with normal FBG levels.

Associations between adult height and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Background

Although short adult height is generally associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), there are large inconsistencies across studies. The aims of this study were to describe and quantify currently available evidence on the association between adult height and T2DM, to examine whether the reported associations differ by sex, and to examine the shapes of the height and T2DM associations.

Methods

Relevant literature was identified using PubMed (1966–May 2018), EMBASE (1947–May 2018) and Google Scholar (May 2018). We identified cross-sectional and cohort studies with original publications on human subjects, which were included in a random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

From 15 971 identified sources, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review (N=401 562 individuals). From these 25 studies, 16 (9 cross-sectional studies and 7 cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis (n=261 496 individuals). The overall random-effects meta-analysis indicated an inverse association between adult height and T2DM (effect estimate=0.88, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.95). No sex differences in the associations between adult height and T2DM were found (effect estimate for men: 0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.99; effect estimate for women: 0.90; 95% CI 0.80 to 1.01; p value for sex interaction=0.80). Due to lack of data, results on the shape of the association between height and T2DM were inconclusive.

Conclusions

Shorter height is associated with an increased risk of T2DM and the association does not significantly differ by sex. The currently available data are insufficient to support conclusions regarding the shape of the association between height and T2DM.

Trial registration number

CRD42017062446.

Mendelian randomisation analyses find pulmonary factors mediate the effect of height on coronary artery disease

There is evidence that lower height is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is not clear though whether these associations are causal, direct or mediated by other factors. Here we show that one standard deviation higher genetically determined height (~6.5 cm) is causally associated with a 16% decrease in CAD risk (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.80-0.87). This causal association remains after performing sensitivity analyses relaxing pleiotropy assumptions. The causal effect of height on CAD risk is reduced by 1-3% after adjustment for potential mediators (lipids, blood pressure, glycaemic traits, body mass index, socio-economic status). In contrast, our data suggest that lung function (measured by forced expiratory volume [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC]) is a mediator of the effect of height on CAD. We observe no direct causal effect of height on the risk of T2D.

Shorter Height is Associated with Diabetes in Women but not in Men: Nationally Representative Evidence from Namibia

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that attained adult height, as an indicator of childhood nutrition, is associated with diabetes in adulthood in Namibia, a country where stunting is highly prevalent.

METHODS

Data from 1,898 women and 1,343 men aged 35 to 64 years included in the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey in 2013 were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs of having diabetes in relation to height. The following three models were considered: Model 1 included only height, Model 2 included height as well as demographic and socioeconomic variables, and Model 3 included body mass index in addition to the covariates from Model 2.

RESULTS

Overall crude diabetes prevalence was 6.1% (95% CI: 5.0-7.2). Being taller was inversely related with diabetes in women but not in men. In Model 3, a 1-cm increase in women's height was associated with 4% lower odds of having diabetes (OR, 0.96; 95% CI: 0.94-0.99; P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Height is associated with a large reduction in diabetes in women but not in men in Namibia. Interventions that allow women to reach their full growth potential may help prevent the growing diabetes burden in the region.

Evaluation of an HMGA2 variant for pleiotropic effects on height and metabolic traits in ponies

BACKGROUND

Ponies are highly susceptible to metabolic derangements including hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and adiposity.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

Genetic loci affecting height in ponies have pleiotropic effects on metabolic pathways and increase the susceptibility to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).

ANIMALS

Two hundred ninety-four Welsh ponies and 529 horses.

METHODS

Retrospective study of horses phenotyped for metabolic traits. Correlations between height and metabolic traits were assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficients. Complementary genome-wide analysis methods were used to identify a region of interest (ROI) for height and metabolic traits, determine the fraction of heritability contributed by the ROI, and identify candidate genes.

RESULTS

There was an inverse relationship between height and baseline insulin (-0.26) in ponies. Genomic signature of selection and association analyses for both height and insulin identified the same ~1.3 megabase region on chromosome 6 that contained a shared ancestral haplotype between these traits. The ROI contributed ~40% of the heritability for height and ~20% of the heritability for insulin. High-mobility group AT-hook 2 was identified as a candidate gene, and Sanger sequencing detected a c.83G>A (p.G28E) variant associated with height in Shetland ponies. In our cohort of ponies, the A allele had a frequency of 0.76, was strongly correlated with height (-0.75), and was low to moderately correlated with metabolic traits including: insulin (0.32), insulin after an oral sugar test (0.25), non-esterified fatty acids (0.19), and triglyceride (0.22) concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

These data have important implications for identifying individuals at risk for EMS.

Risk modeling in prospective diabetes studies: Association and predictive value of anthropometrics

AIMS

This study aimed to introduce and apply modern statistical techniques for assessing association and predictive value of risk factors in first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with diabetes from repeatedly measured diabetes data.

METHODS

We used data from 1319 FDR's of patients with diabetes followed for 8 years. Association and predictive performance of weight (Wt), body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC) and their ratio (WHR), waist-height ratio (WHtR) and a body shape index (ABSI) in relation to future diabetes were evaluated by using Cox regression and joint longitudinal-survival modeling.

RESULTS

According to Cox regression, in total sample, WC, HC, Wt, WHtR and BMI had significant direct association with diabetes (all p < 0.01) with the best predictive ability for WHtR (concordance probability estimate = 0.575). Joint modeling suggested direct associations between diabetes and WC, WHR, Wt, WHtR and BMI in total sample (all p < 0.05). According to LPML criterion, WHtR was the best predictor in both total sample and females with LPML of -2666.27 and -2185.67, respectively. However, according to AUC criteria, BMI had the best predictive performance with AUC-JM = 0.7629 and dAUC-JM = 0.5883 in total sample. In females, both AUC criteria indicated that WC was the best predictor followed by WHtR.

CONCLUSION

WC, WHR, Wt, WHtR and BMI are among candidate anthropometric measures to be monitored in diabetes prevention programs. Larger multi-ethnic and multivariate research are warranted to assess interactions and identify the best predictors in subgroups.

Optimal cut-points of different anthropometric indices and their joint effect in prediction of type 2 diabetes: results of a cohort study

Background

To determine the anthropometric indices that would predict type 2 diabetes (T2D) and delineate their optimal cut-points.

Methods

In a cohort study, 7017 Iranian adults, aged 20–60 years, free of T2D at baseline were investigated. Using Cox proportional hazard models, hazard ratios (HRs) for incident T2D per 1 SD change in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and hip circumference (HC) were calculated. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves (AUC) was calculated to compare the discriminative power of anthropometric variables for incident T2D. Cut-points of each index were estimated by the maximum value of Youden’s index and fixing the sensitivity at 75%. Using the derived cut-points, joint effects of BMI and other obesity indices on T2D hazard were assessed.

Results

During a median follow-up of 12 years, 354 men, and 490 women developed T2D. In both sexes, 1 SD increase in anthropometric variables showed significant association with incident T2D, except for HC in multivariate adjusted model in men. In both sexes, WHtR had the highest discriminatory power while HC had the lowest. The derived cut-points for BMI, WC, WHtR, WHR, and HC were 25.56 kg/m², 89 cm, 0.52, 0.91, and 96 cm in men and 27.12 kg/m², 87 cm, 0.56, 0.83, and 103 cm in women, respectively. Assessing joint effects of BMI and each of the obesity measures in the prediction of incident T2D showed that among both sexes, combined high values of obesity indices increase the specificity for the price of reduced sensitivity and positive predictive value.

Conclusions

Our derived cut-points differ between both sexes and are different from other ethnicities.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5611-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Diabetes Care in Iran: Where We Stand and Where We Are Headed

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of diabetes has steadily increased in Iran from the time of the first published nationally representative survey in 1999 and despite efforts and strategies to reduce disease burden.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present review was to describe the current status of diabetes care in Iran.

METHODS

A selective review of the relevant literature, focusing on properly conducted studies, describing past and present diabetes care strategies, policies, and outcomes in Iran was performed.

FINDINGS

The quality of diabetes care has gradually improved as suggested by a reduction in the proportion of undiagnosed patients and an increase in affordability of diabetes medications. The National Program for Prevention and Control of Diabetes has proven successful at identifying high-risk individuals, particularly in rural and remote-access areas. Unfortunately, the rising tide of diabetes is outpacing these efforts by a considerable margin.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial opportunities and challenges in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and management of diabetes exist in Iran that need to be addressed to further improve the quality of care and clinical outcomes.

Stature is inversely associated with self-reported diabetes in middle-aged Mexican women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether stature is associated with two highly prevalent cardiom- etabolic disorders-diabetes mellitus (DM) and high blood pressure (HBP) -in middle-aged Mexican women.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a sample of 93 481 middle-aged Mexican female teachers, all participating in the Mexican Teachers Cohort (MTC, or ESMaestras) study. We used a multivariable regression model to investigate the association of stature quintiles with the self-reported outcomes of DM and HBP.

RESULTS

After adjusting for birth cohort, ethnicity, family history, birthweight, occupation of household's head during participant's childhood, menopausal status, and geographical region of birthplace, stature was inversely associated with DM, with the odds for DM being 9% higher in the lowest stature quintile when compared to the highest stature quintile. Stratification for location of residence resulted in confirmation of the above-mentioned findings only in partici- pants living in urban environments.

CONCLUSIONS

We found an inverse association of stature with DM but not with HBP. Our data suggest that urban setting might be an important effect modifier of this association, which merits further investigation since it might provide valuable insights into the epidemiological transition occurring in developing countries.

Association of waist and hip circumference and waist-hip ratio with type 2 diabetes risk in first-degree relatives

AIMS

To evaluate the association of type 2 diabetes risk in first-degree relatives of diabetics with waist and hip circumference (WC and HC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR).

METHODS

We retrieved the data of 1319 subjects who had at least two visits during 2003-2010 and had been examined for diabetes status, WC and HC. Joint survival-longitudinal analysis and Cox regression were performed and the results were compared.

RESULTS

There was a significant direct relationship between diabetes risk and WC and WHR. The risk increased by 23% (95% CI: 5%-38%) and by 28% (95% CI: 9%-58%) respectively, for every 10cm increase in WC and 10% increase in WHR. Post-hoc subgroup analysis showed that these findings were present in females, but not in males. No significant association was seen for HC. Simple Cox regression showed direct association with WC and HC and no association with WHR.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to dependence on measurement time, results from Cox model were inconclusive. The joint model showed a direct effect of WC and WHR albeit weaker than those in the general population, suggesting the possibility that factors other than the obesity indices are playing a stronger role in the elevated risk in this population. Multivariate models are needed for shedding light on the association.

The Elevated Susceptibility to Diabetes in India: An Evolutionary Perspective

India has rapidly become a "diabetes capital" of the world, despite maintaining high rates of under-nutrition. Indians develop diabetes at younger age and at lower body weights than other populations. Here, we interpret these characteristics in terms of a "capacity-load" model of glucose homeostasis. Specifically, we assume that glycemic control depends on whether the body's "metabolic capacity," referring to traits, such as pancreatic insulin production and muscle glucose clearance, is able to resolve the "metabolic load" generated by high levels of body fat, high dietary glycemic load, and sedentary behavior. We employ data from modern cohorts to support the model and the interpretation that elevated diabetic risk among Indian populations results from the high metabolic load imposed by westernized lifestyles acting on a baseline of low metabolic capacity. We attribute this low metabolic capacity to the low birth weight characteristic of Indian populations, which is associated with short stature and low lean mass in adult life. Using stature as a marker of metabolic capacity, we review archeological and historical evidence to highlight long-term declines in Indian stature associated with adaptation to several ecological stresses. Underlying causes may include increasing population density following the emergence of agriculture, the spread of vegetarian diets, regular famines induced by monsoon failure, and the undermining of agricultural security during the colonial period. The reduced growth and thin physique that characterize Indian populations elevate susceptibility to truncal obesity, and increase the metabolic penalties arising from sedentary behavior and high glycemic diets. Improving metabolic capacity may require multiple generations; in the meantime, efforts to reduce the metabolic load will help ameliorate the situation.

Association of Apolipoprotein A5 Gene Polymorphisms with Metabolic Syndrome in the Korean Population

AIMS

Functional defects of the ApoA5 protein have been identified as risk factors for hypertriglyceridemia, vascular diseases and susceptibility to metabolic syndrome (MetS). These associations are neither strong nor consistent in all populations studied. In this study, we investigated the association between the ApoA5 -1131T>C and -12,238T>C polymorphic loci in Korean patients with MetS.

METHODS

A total of 1074 subjects, including 415 patients with MetS and 659 healthy control subjects, were enrolled to investigate the affect of ApoA5 polymorphisms on risk of MetS. Genotyping of the ApoA5 polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques.

RESULTS

The CC genotype and the dominant (TT vs. TC+CC) and recessive (TT+TC vs. CC) models of the -1131T>C polymorphism were associated with increased MetS susceptibility (p < 0.001, p = 0.018, and p = 0.002, respectively). The association was male-specific when stratified by gender. With regard to the -12,238T>C polymorphism, the TC and CC genotypes and the dominant (TT vs. TC+CC) and recessive (TT+TC vs. CC) models were frequently found in the patient group, compared with the control group (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.031, respectively). The T-C, C-T, and C-C haplotypes of the ApoA5 -1131T>C and -12,238T>C polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk for MetS (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The variant of the ApoA5 -1131T>C polymorphism was also associated with increased triglyceride (TG) levels. Dominant models of ApoA5 -1131T>C and -12,238T>C polymorphisms were associated with the risk components of MetS by the stratification analysis.

CONCLUSION

The -1131C and -12,238C variants and the C-containing haplotypes of ApoA5 -1131T>C and -12,238T>C polymorphisms were associated with higher risk for MetS in the Korean population. The -1131C variant was also associated with the increased level of TG.

Height at Late Adolescence and Incident Diabetes among Young Men

BACKGROUND

Short stature was suggested as a risk factor for diabetes onset among middle age individuals, but whether this is the case among young adults is unclear. Our goal was to assess the association between height and incident diabetes among young men.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Incident diabetes was assessed among 32,055 men with no history of diabetes, from the prospectively followed young adults of the MELANY cohort. Height was measured at two time points; at adolescence (mean age 17.4±0.3 years) and grouped according to the US-CDC percentiles and at young adulthood (mean age 31.0±5.6 years). Cox proportional hazards models were applied. There were 702 new cases of diabetes during a mean follow-up of 6.3±4.3 years. There was a significant increase in the crude diabetes incidence rate with decreasing adolescent height percentile, from 4.23 cases/104 person-years in the <10th percentile group to 2.44 cases/104 person-years in the 75th≤ percentile group. These results persisted when clinical and biochemical diabetes risk factors were included in multivariable models. Compared to the 75th≤ percentile group, height below the 10th percentile was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.64 (95%CI 1.09-2.46, p = 0.017) for incident diabetes after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels, white blood cells count, socioeconomic status, country of origin, family history of diabetes, sleep quality and physical activity. At age 30 years, each 1-cm decrement in adult height was associated with a 2.5% increase in diabetes adjusted risk (HR 1.025, 95%CI 1.01-1.04, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Shorter height at late adolescence or young adulthood was associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes among young men, independent of BMI and other diabetes risk factors.

C677T gene polymorphism of MTHFR and metabolic syndrome: response to dietary intervention

BACKGROUND

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms were found associated with body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity and lean mass. The aim of our study was to examine the role of the C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism in the response to diet in the management of metabolic syndrome. We investigated the body composition and metabolic factor changes after an hysocaloric balanced diet (HBD), in Italian obese women affected by metabolic syndrome (MS).

METHODS

Forty four obese women affected by MS were eligible for the study. A HBD for 12 weeks was assigned. Study participation included a complete screening for dietary habits, anthropometry, body composition, blood biochemical markers and C677T MTHFR polymorphism genotyping. The study has been registrated by ClinicalTrials.gov Id: NCT01890070.

RESULTS

The highest number of responders to HBD nutritional intervention were T(-) carriers (p ≤ 0.05). In the 81% of the total population a loss of Total Body Lean was observed. A significative loss (p ≤ 0.05) of Total Body Lean was observed in the 47% of T(-) carriers and in the 53% of T(+) carriers. Diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference were reduced (p ≤ 0.05). The prevalence of MS parameters decreased by 84% for systolic and diastolic blood pressure; 79,5% for HDL cholesterol, 82% for fasting glucose and 77% for triglycerides.

CONCLUSIONS

MTHFR genetic variations analysis would be an innovative tool for the nutritional assessment. Our data provide the basis for personalized dietary recommendations based on the individual's genetic makeup and nutritional status.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study has been registrated by ClinicalTrials.gov Id: NCT01890070.

"Impact of stature on non-communicable diseases: evidence based on Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2011 data"

BACKGROUND

In this paper, an attempt has been made to explore the relationship between height and occurrence of the non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

METHODS

For the purpose of analysis, Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2011 data was used. Bivariate analysis along with a Chi-square test was performed to examine association between height and diseases. To measure the impact of stature on diabetes and hypertension, three different logistic regression models (Model I: considering only quartiles of height, Model II: covariates of model I along with demographic variables and Model III: covariates of model II along with clinical variable) were considered.

RESULTS

Occurrence of diabetes and hypertension was found to be inversely related with the height of participants. This inverse association was statistically significant for all three models. After controlling the demographic and clinical variables simultaneously, the odds ratio for highest quartile compared to the lowest quartile was 0.82 with 95% confidence interval (0.69, 0.98) for diabetes; whereas it was 0.72 with 95% confidence interval (0.55, 0.95) for hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of this paper indicate that persons with shorter stature are substantially more likely to develop diabetes as well as hypertension. The occurrence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension can be reduced by controlling genetic and non-genetic (early-life and childhood) factors that may influence the height.

A systematic review of the impact of including both waist and hip circumference in risk models for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and mortality

Both a larger waist and narrow hips are associated with heightened risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and premature mortality. We review the risk of these outcomes for levels of waist and hip circumferences when terms for both anthropometric measures were included in regression models. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched (last updated July 2012) for studies reporting the association with the outcomes mentioned earlier for both waist and hip circumferences (unadjusted and with both terms included in the model). Ten studies reported the association between hip circumference and death and/or disease outcomes both unadjusted and adjusted for waist circumference. Five studies reported the risk associated with waist circumference both unadjusted and adjusted for hip circumference. With the exception of one study of venous thromboembolism, the full strength of the association between either waist circumference or hip circumference with morbidity and/or mortality was only apparent when terms for both anthropometric measures were included in regression models. Without accounting for the protective effect of hip circumference, the effect of obesity on risk of death and disease may be seriously underestimated. Considered together (but not as a ratio measure), waist and hip circumference may improve risk prediction models for cardiovascular disease and other outcomes.

Hip circumference, height and risk of type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis

Although several epidemiological studies have investigated the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hip circumference or height, the results are inconsistent. The present systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational studies was conducted to assess the effects of hip circumference and height on diabetes risk. Online databases were searched through January 2012, and the reference lists of pertinent articles reporting observational studies in humans were examined. Pooled relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with a random-effects model. Eighteen studies (nine cross-sectional and nine cohort) were included, with 250,497 participants and 7,765 cases of T2DM. Hip circumference was inversely associated with an increased risk of T2DM in men (summary RR [95% CI] 0.60 [0.45, 0.80]) and women (0.54 [0.42, 0.70]). These results were consistent between cross-sectional and cohort studies. An inverse association between height and T2DM was observed in women only (summary RR [95% CI] 0.83 [0.73, 0.95]). Our meta-analysis strongly supports an inverse relationship between hip circumference and risk of T2DM in men and women. The inverse association between height and risk was significant only in women.