Prevalence of insulin resistance in a young adult population. Relationship with weight status.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of insulin resistance using both the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) index and basal insulinemia, and to analyze its relationship to overweight, as measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).


METHODS
A series of 118 non-diabetic young adults aged 18 and 19 years attending a primary care health center were studied. They were contacted by telephone, and their BMI, WC, HOMA and basal insulinemia were measured, among other parameters.


RESULTS
HOMA values ≥ P90 (HOMA ≥3.15) were found in 9.3% of the sample (50% in the obesity group). Insulinemia ≥ P90 (16,9) was found in 11%. Based on BMI, 17.8% were overweight (26.5% of men, 11.6% of women), and 6.8% were obese (6.1% of men, 7.2% of women). Based on WC, 5.71% were obese when waist was measured at the midpoint and 15.38%, when measured at the iliac crest. HOMA was found to be significantly correlated to weight increase, BMI, WC, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and blood glucose, while correlation was only found between insulinemia and increased WC and decreased high lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In this young adult sample, increased BMI and WC were associated to increased insulin resistance. High HOMA values were found in 9.3% of subjects.
Servicio de Atención Primaria, Centro de Salud Cuzco, Fuenlabrada, Madrid, España. merogero@gmail.com
M Eloísa
ME
Rogero Blanco
M Rosa
MR
Albañil Ballesteros
Magdalena
M
Sánchez Martin
Alejandro
A
Rabanal Basalo
Antonio
A
Olivas Domínguez
Concepción
C
García Lacalle
D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult