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Low serum insulin in traditional Pacific Islanders--the Kitava Study
S Lindeberg1, M Eliasson, B Lindahl
1Department of Community Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
|October 27, 1999
Summary
Serum insulin levels are lower and decrease with age in Kitavans, contrasting with Western populations. This finding suggests a Western lifestyle contributes to insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Elevated serum insulin is linked to obesity and hypertension in affluent societies, often reflecting insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
- Non-westernized populations typically exhibit stable body weight, blood pressure, and absence of abdominal obesity with age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related patterns of serum insulin in a non-westernized population (Kitavans) compared to a westernized population (Swedes).
- To explore the relationship between lifestyle, body composition, and serum insulin levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study measuring fasting serum insulin in 164 Kitavan adults (20-86 years) and 472 Swedish adults (25-74 years).
- Comparison of mean insulin levels, distributions, and age-related trends between the two populations.
- Multiple linear regression analysis to assess predictors of insulin levels in older Kitavans.
Main Results:
- Kitavans had significantly lower fasting serum insulin levels than Swedes across all age groups (P < .001).
- Serum insulin decreased with age in Kitavans, whereas it increased in Swedes over 50 years old.
- Age, BMI, and waist circumference effectively predicted insulin levels in older Kitavans, similar to Swedish predictions.
Conclusions:
- Low serum insulin, decreasing with age in Kitavans, supports the hypothesis that Western lifestyles drive insulin resistance.
- Reduced serum insulin may contribute to the low prevalence of cardiovascular disease and leanness observed in Kitavans.