How strong is the association between abdominal obesity and the incidence of type 2 diabetes?
BACKGROUND
Quantitative evidence on the strength of the association between abdominal obesity and the incidence of type 2 diabetes was assessed.


METHODS
Systematic review of longitudinal studies assessing the relationship between measures reflecting abdominal obesity and the incidence of type 2 diabetes.


RESULTS
There was a strong association between measures reflecting abdominal obesity and the incidence of type 2 diabetes, the pooled odds ratio was 2.14 (95% CI: 1.70-2.71; p < 0.0001). Waist circumference (WC) was at least as good as other measures in predicting outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a strong association between measures reflecting abdominal obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes. Reducing WC may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Freemantle
N
N
School of Primary Care, Occupational and Public Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. n.freemantle@bham.ac.uk
Holmes
J
J
Hockey
A
A
Kumar
S
S
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference