Comparison of different obesity indices associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus among different sex and age groups in Nantong, China: a cross-section study

Abstract

Background Obesity is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the obesity index that is most closely related to type 2 diabetes remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the associations of five anthropometric indices (body mass index [BMI], body adiposity index, waist circumference [WC], waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio [WHtR]) with T2DM among Chinese adults divided into four groups according to sex and age. Methods A total of 4007 adult participants (1669 men and 2338 women) were included in the study. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were used with binary logistic regression models to estimate the risk of T2DM for each obesity index. Furthermore, we compared the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of each obesity index for the criterion of T2DM under the influence of risk factors. Results WC had the highest OR (3.211 and 1.452) and AUC (0.783 and 0.614) in both age groups of men. However, WHtR (OR = 2.366, AUC = 0.771) and BMI (OR = 1.596, AUC = 0.647) were the optimal criteria for predicting T2DM among females in the 18–59 and ≥ 60 years age groups, respectively. Conclusions This study suggests that there is a positive association between obesity-related anthropometric indices and T2DM in different sex and age groups. WC appears to be the optimal anthropometric index for predicting T2DM in men. The optimal obesity indices related to T2DM were WHtR and BMI for women aged 18–59 and ≥ 60 years, respectively.

Association of body mass index and waist circumference with type 2 diabetes mellitus in older adults: a cross-sectional study

“…In contrast, the association between BMI and T2DM was stronger in females. Similar results were found by Qiwei Ge et al [ 10 ]. This situation may be due to differences in fat distribution between the sexes [ 33 , 34 ].…”

“…This result is similar to several studies [ 9 , 24 , 37 ]. Qiwei Ge et al [ 10 ] also found that WC was the strongest indicator to predict T2DM in elderly men. However, these studies were not identical to the indicators of our study.…”

“…We noted that the AUCs in our study were relatively low even after adjusting for some potential confounding factors, which may be because our study subjects were elderly. Qiwei Ge et al [ 10 ] looked at people aged 18–60 and over. The AUCs of all indicators in people over 60 years old were lower than those in groups between 18 and 60 years old.…”

“…Diabetes has multiple risk factors, such as overweight, obesity, unhealthy diet, poor lifestyle habits, and increased age [ 7 – 10 ]. In recent years, the proportion of people with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) has been rising substantially worldwide [ 11 ].…”

Association Between Some Different Obesity Anthropometric Indices and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Men and Women in Beijing, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“… 20 A cross-sectional study conducted in Nantong, China, reported that the optimal ObAI related to T2DM was BMI for women aged ≥60 years. 31 BMI reflecting overall obesity cannot distinguish between fat mass and fat-free mass. In addition, body fat distribution would change according to menopausal status, with central obesity more pronounced in postmenopausal women.…”