Insulin Resistance and Body Fat in South Asian Men Compared to Caucasian Men
Author Information
Author(s): Chandalia Manisha, Lin Ping, Seenivasan Thanalakshmi, Livingston Edward H., Snell Peter G., Grundy Scott M., Abate Nicola
Primary Institution: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Hypothesis
Do BMI-matched South Asians have more total body fat and abdominal subcutaneous fat than Caucasians?
Conclusion
South Asian men have higher total body fat and larger adipocytes, which contribute to their increased insulin resistance compared to Caucasian men.
Supporting Evidence
- South Asians had higher total body fat (22% vs 15%) despite similar BMI.
- Adipocyte size was significantly larger in South Asians (3491 µm2 vs 1648 µm2).
- Glucose disposal rates were significantly lower in South Asians compared to Caucasians.
Takeaway
South Asian men have more body fat than Caucasian men even if they weigh the same, which makes it harder for their bodies to use insulin properly.
Methodology
The study involved 29 South Asian and 18 Caucasian non-diabetic men who underwent various tests to measure body fat and insulin sensitivity.
Potential Biases
Higher percentage of South Asians had a family history of diabetes, which could confound results.
Limitations
The study had a limited number of subjects and lacked dietary information.
Participant Demographics
29 South Asian men and 18 Caucasian men, ages around 27 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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