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Weight change and risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Yuko Oguma1, Howard D Sesso, Ralph S Paffenbarger
1Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Obesity Research
|May 28, 2005
Summary
Weight gain significantly increases type 2 diabetes risk, regardless of initial body mass index (BMI). Avoiding weight gain is crucial for preventing this disease, even in lean individuals.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Weight change is a significant factor in metabolic health.
- Understanding the relationship between weight gain and type 2 diabetes is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Initial body weight may influence the risk associated with subsequent weight gain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between weight change and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- To determine if initial body weight modifies this association.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 20,187 male alumni from Harvard and University of Pennsylvania.
- Baseline weight, height, and risk factors reported in 1962/1966.
- Weight and height measured at university entry (age 18.5) and followed until 1998 for type 2 diabetes incidence.
Main Results:
- 1223 men developed type 2 diabetes during follow-up.
- Significant positive association between weight gain and type 2 diabetes risk (p for trend < 0.0001).
- Weight gain increased risk even in men with a low initial BMI (< 21 kg/m²).
Conclusions:
- A low initial BMI does not mitigate the increased risk of type 2 diabetes associated with weight gain.
- Preventing weight gain is essential for reducing type 2 diabetes risk, even in individuals who are initially lean.