Rate of weight gain, weight fluctuation, and incidence of NIDDM.
The relationships of rate of weight gain and weight fluctuation to incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were examined in Pima Indians. The 1,458 subjects were participants in a prospective study with examinations approximately every 2 years. Rate of weight gain was defined as the slope of the regression line of weight with time for two or more consecutive examinations > or = 2 years apart and weight fluctuation as the root-mean-square departure from this line for four examinations. Among men, incidence of NIDDM was strongly and significantly related to rate of weight gain (e.g., age-adjusted incidence = 56.7/1,000 person-years in those with weight gain > or = 3 kg/year and 16.9/1,000 person-years for those losing weight [Ptrend < 0.01]). In women, weight gain was significantly related to diabetes incidence only in those who were not initially overweight (body mass index < 27.3 kg/m2). In contrast to the relationship with weight gain, weight fluctuation was not associated with incidence of diabetes in either sex. These findings suggest that weight control in overweight individuals may be a more effective strategy for prevention of NIDDM in men than in women, whereas prevention of obesity may prevent diabetes in both sexes. Concern about a diabetogenic effect of weight fluctuation should not deter weight-control efforts.
Hanson
R L
RL
Diabetes and Arthritis Epidemiology Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Narayan
K M
KM
McCance
D R
DR
Pettitt
D J
DJ
Jacobsson
L T
LT
Bennett
P H
PH
Knowler
W C
WC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007198:Indians, North American; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking; D015430:Weight Gain