Central Obesity as a Risk Factor for Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the association of central obesity (measured as waist-to-hip ratio) with glucose intolerance, and to compare the mean fasting blood sugar and the mean random blood sugar levels of centrally obese and non-obese adults.

Study Design: Analytical case-control study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Medical Wards and OPDs of Civil Hospital Karachi from June 2015 to December 2015.

Materials and Methods: The subjects were selected by non-probability convenience. Based on their waist-to-hip ratio they were divided into centrally obese (group A) and non-obese (group B). The cut-off point for waist-to-hip ratio was 1.0 for males and 0.85 for females. One hundred non-diabetic, healthy adults were included in each group. All the subjects underwent a 2 hour 75-gm oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting blood sugar and random blood sugar at two hours post-glucose challenge were measured.

Results: Five individuals had blood sugar levels in the diabetic range and were excluded from the study. Impaired glucose tolerance was observed in fifteen out of 98 subjects in the centrally obese group and six out of 97 subjects in the non-obese group. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.04). Statistically significant difference was also observed between the mean fasting blood sugar and the mean random blood sugar of the two groups (p<0.001 in both cases). The odds ratio for a person with central obesity to have impaired glucose tolerance was estimated to be 2.74.

Conclusion: There is a significant association between central obesity (waist-to-hip ratio) and glucose intolerance.