Abstract
A direct link has been established between insulin resistance and obesity; however,
the influence of body fat content on insulin sensitivity in normal-weight individuals
has not been explored. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine differences
in insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, and blood lipid levels in normal-weight,
healthy participants differing in their body fat. Physical activity, cardiorespiratory
fitness, weight cycling, nutrient intake, and eating behavior were also assessed.
Two groups of normal-weight (body mass index <25) young, healthy women were recruited:
a high-body-fat group with body fat >30% of body weight (n=15) and a low-body-fat
group (fat ≤30%, n=17). Data were collected between November 2003 and March 2004.
Participants were matched for age and body fat distribution (assessed by the waist-to-hip
ratio). The high-body-fat group displayed lower values of insulin sensitivity compared
to the low-body-fat group (1/homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance 1.003±0.083
vs 1.385±0.158, respectively; P<0.05), whereas no differences were observed on blood lipid levels and glycemic control
between groups. High-body-fat participants had lower cardiorespiratory fitness (25.2±1.2
vs 28.2±1.4 mL/kg/min in the low-body-fat group, P<0.05) and higher incidence of weight cycling of 1.0 to 2.5 kg loss per lifetime (18±3
kg vs 8±2 kg in the low-body-fat group, P<0.05). The latter variable was the only factor significantly associated with body
fat. These data suggest that increased adiposity in normal weight, healthy women may
adversely affect insulin sensitivity and that it may be related to differences in
physical fitness and eating behavior.
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Biography
C. A. Anastasiou is a research associate, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Laboratory of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Biography
M. Yannakoulia is assistant professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Laboratory of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Biography
S. A. Kavouras is assistant professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Laboratory of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Biography
V. Pirogianni is a research assistant, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Laboratory of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Biography
G. Rapti is a research assistant, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Laboratory of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Biography
L. S. Sidossis is an associate professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Laboratory of Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 14,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
