The relationship between total body fat and distribution of body fat mass and markers of insulin resistance in young women with normal weight — a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction. Total body fat and body fat distributionare factors closely associated with development ofinsulin resistance, including subjects with normal bodyweight and BMI (body mass index).

Objectives. The objective of the study was to determinerelation between insulin resistance index and selectedparameters of body fat distribution in potentiallyhealthy young females with body mass index below25 kg/m2.

Material and methods. Study group consisted of 36women with a BMI < 25 kg/m2, who underwent anthropometricmeasurements, i.e.: height, weight, waistcircumference, hip circumference and blood pressuremeasurement. The segmental body composition wasmeasured by of the use of the bioelectric impedanceanalysis (BIA). Moreover, oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT) was performed with blood collection in 0, 60and 120 minute of the test. The fasting samples wereused for determination of concentrations of glucose,insulin, C-peptide, a total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDLand LDL cholesterol. The following insulin resistanceindices were calculated: HOMA-IR, HOMA2-IR, HOMA2-%B, HOMA2-%S and IRI/G.

Results. All the volunteers presented normal glucosetolerance in 120 minute of the OGTT test, as well asnormal values of IRI/G index. Moreover, for such parametersas: total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol,triglycerides and CRP no values outside the referencerange were found. C-peptide concentration was foundto be significantly correlated with total body fat(r = 0.532; p = 0.001) and trunk fat mass (r = 0.471;p = 0.004).

Conclusions. In the young, non-obese women it seemsto be justified to test concentration of glucose andC-peptide while assessing potential insulin resistancewith simultaneous examination of the total and trunkbody fat.