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Waist Size Predicts Insulin ProblemWhat is the problem, and what is known about it so far?Measuring insulin resistance (a condition in which the body does not use blood glucose well) is an important part of finding out if a person is on the way to getting diabetes. So far, there has been no simple test to find out if a person is insulin resistant. Who was studied?
The study included 2,746 healthy volunteers ranging from 18 to 72 years of age and with a body mass index of 18 to 60. (Body mass index is a measure of a person's weight related to their height.) How was the study done?
Researchers collected information on participants' height, weight, and waist size. They also figured out people's body mass index. Blood was drawn for lab tests to measure the levels of glucose, insulin, lipids (a kind of fat), and other substances in the blood. What did the researchers find?
The researchers found that waist size was a better test of insulin resistance than anything else they looked at. In both men and women, a waist size of 39.37 inches (100 cm) or more predicted that the person had insulin resistance. What are the limitations of the study?
More studies should be done to see if a person's waist size really does show they have insulin resistance. What are the implications of the study?Waist size is a simple tool to identify people who are more likely to have insulin resistance. This is a quick and inexpensive way for doctors to diagnose insulin resistance in patients and find out who is at risk for getting diabetes.
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