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High amount of visceral fat mass is associated with multiple metabolic changes in offspring of type 2 diabetic patients

International Journal of Obesity volume 29, pages 1464–1470 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the relative contribution of total body fat mass (TFM) and intra-abdominal fat mass (IAFM) to metabolic consequences of obesity in offspring of type 2 diabetic parents.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional study of 129 nondiabetic offspring of diabetic parents (59 men, 70 women, age 35.7±6.3 y, body mass index 26.2±4.6 kg/m2). Study subjects were grouped according to TFM (assessed with bioelectrical impedance) and IAFM (assessed with CT). Insulin sensitivity was assessed with the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, insulin secretion with the intravenous glucose tolerance test and energy expenditure with indirect calorimetry. Furthermore, C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin levels were measured.

RESULTS:

Insulin resistance, low rates of oxidative and nonoxidative glucose disposal, high rates of lipid oxidation and reduced energy expenditure during hyperinsulinemia were associated with high IAFM, independently of TFM. Adiponectin level was reduced and CRP level increased in subjects with high IAFM.

CONCLUSIONS:

The metabolic changes relating to obesity are largely attributable to high IAFM, and are present even in normal weight subjects with high IAFM.

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Acknowledgements

This study was partly supported by grants to ML from the Academy of Finland (project 77299), the Diabetes Research Foundation, the Kuopio University Hospital (EVO Grant no. 5194) and the European Union (QLG1-CT-1999-00674).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland

    U Salmenniemi, E Ruotsalainen, M Vänttinen, I Vauhkonen, J Pihlajamäki & M Laakso

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland

    S Kainulainen

  3. Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland

    K Punnonen

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  1. U Salmenniemi
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  2. E Ruotsalainen
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  6. S Kainulainen
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  7. K Punnonen
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  8. M Laakso
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Correspondence to M Laakso.

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Salmenniemi, U., Ruotsalainen, E., Vänttinen, M. et al. High amount of visceral fat mass is associated with multiple metabolic changes in offspring of type 2 diabetic patients. Int J Obes 29, 1464–1470 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803041

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