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Aims/IntroductionLow birthweight (birthweight <2,500 g) has been considered to be a risk factor for diabetes in data from Western countries, and its percentage is increasing in Japan. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between birth weight and diabetes, as well as both insulin resistance and secretion.Materials and MethodsThe participants were 847 adults who underwent health check-ups. The participants were divided by birthweight into four groups (low birthweight and tertiles 1–3 above it). We assessed the effect of birthweight on diabetes using a logistic regression model. Multivariable liner regression analyses were carried out to examine whether birthweight is independently associated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and β-cell function.ResultsThe prevalence of diabetes tended to increase with decreasing birthweight. The adjusted odds ratio for diabetes with low birthweight was 3.52 (1.04–11.96) as compared with the reference category, tertile 2. Univariable linear regression analyses showed that homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was negatively associated with birthweight, and this association remained after adjusting for age, sex, current body mass index and family history of diabetes. There was no significant association between homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function and birthweight.ConclusionsLow birthweight was inversely associated with diabetes and insulin resistance in the Japanese general population. Longitudinal data analyses are required to examine the causal relationship between bodyweight and diabetes or insulin resistance in adulthood.

Background: Body weight reduction (BWR) of at least 3% in obese Japanese individuals through lifestyle interventions has improved the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the relation between body weight change (BWC) and CVD risk change and to identify lifestyle improvement related to BWR in obese Japanese individuals. Methods: Subjects were 2579 health checkup examinees without medicated diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidemia, and a body mass index ‡25 kg/m 2 who completed lifestyle questionnaires in 2008 and 2012. The 4year changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, and blood pressure (BP) levels were compared across the five groups based on the 4-year BWC, and presented as <-5%,-5% to-3%,-3% to-1%,-1% to 1%, and ‡1%. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for lifestyle improvement related to BWR. Results: Comparing the groups to the reference group (BWC ranging from-1% to +1%), we observed that FPG and HbA1c levels were lower in women in the <-5% group; BP levels were also lower in the <-5% group; triglyceride levels had improved in the <-3% group, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the <-5% group; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels had improved in men in the <-5% group. In men, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for BWR related to lifestyle improvement pertaining to ''over 30 min exercise'' was 2.6 (2.0-3.6). In women, the adjusted ORs for BWR related to ''walking or physical activity,'' ''drinking alcohol,'' and ''drinking more than a glass of sake'' were 1.7 (1.1-2.7), 1.9 (1.1-3.5), and 1.8 (1.1-3.0), respectively. Conclusions: A 5% BWR improved FPG and HbA1c levels in obese women, and BP and lipid levels in obese men. Improvements in exercise and alcohol consumption habits were associated with BWR in this population.