Type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in Japanese Americans.
Japanese Americans have experienced a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than in Japan. Research conducted in Seattle suggests that lifestyle factors associated with 'westernization' play a role in bringing out this susceptibility to diabetes. These lifestyle factors include consumption of a diet higher in saturated fat and reduced physical activity. A consequence of this is the development of central (visceral) adiposity, insulin resistance, and other features associated with this insulin resistance metabolic syndrome, such as dyslipidemia (high triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, and small and dense LDL particles), hypertension, and coronary heart disease. We have postulated that the superimposition of insulin resistance upon a genetic background of reduced beta-cell reserve results in hyperglycemia and diabetes among Japanese Americans. This article reviews evidence that support this view.
Fujimoto
W Y
WY
Division of Metabolism Endocrinology and Nutrition, Room BB545, Health Science Building, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, PO Box 356426, Seattle, WA 98195-6426, USA. wilfuji@u.washington.edu
Bergstrom
R W
RW
Boyko
E J
EJ
Chen
K
K
Kahn
S E
SE
Leonetti
D L
DL
McNeely
M J
MJ
Newell
L L
LL
Shofer
J B
JB
Wahl
P W
PW
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007564:Japan / Q000208:ethnology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology