A Comparative Study of Anthropometric and Glycemic Differences in Healthy Adults with and without Family History of Type 2 DM

Abstract

Background: Family history is a recognised determinant of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet information on the early metabolic profile of healthy young adults who have an affected relative is limited, particularly in North India. This study compared anthropometric indices, glycaemic markers and insulin resistance between healthy adults aged 18 to 45 years with and without a family history of T2DM. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiology of S.N. Medical College, Agra, in collaboration with the Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry. Participants were assigned to a case group with a family history of T2DM in relatives and a control group without such history. After purposive sampling, 49 participants were analysed in each group. Body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference and waist to hip ratio were measured. Fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were estimated, and insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR). Continuous variables were compared with the unpaired Student t test and categorical variables with the chi square test. A p value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The two groups were comparable for age (case 28.22 ± 7.49 years, control 27.18 ± 3.99 years, p 0.39). The case group had higher body weight (62.57 ± 10.39 kg versus 58.27 ± 10.38 kg, p 0.03), BMI (24.35 ± 5.01 kg/m² versus 21.96 ± 4.81 kg/m², p 0.02), waist circumference (84.62 ± 11.94 cm versus 79.76 ± 10.65 cm, p 0.03) and hip circumference (92.83 ± 12.47 cm versus 87.39 ± 13.80 cm, p 0.04). Height and waist to hip ratio did not differ significantly. Fasting plasma glucose (88.69 ± 9.15 mg/dL versus 80.78 ± 5.50 mg/dL), fasting plasma insulin (10.25 ± 3.58 µIU/mL versus 7.10 ± 2.53 µIU/mL), HOMA IR (2.26 ± 0.90 versus 1.43 ± 0.56) and HbA1c (5.52 ± 0.35% versus 5.20 ± 0.43%) were all significantly higher in the case group (p below 0.001 for each). Increased thirst, increased hunger and fatigue were reported more frequently in the case group. Conclusions: Healthy young adults with a family history of T2DM showed greater generalised and central adiposity, higher fasting glucose, higher HbA1c and higher insulin resistance than comparable adults without such a history, although none had a diagnosis of diabetes. These findings support the use of simple anthropometric and glycaemic measurements, together with a structured family history, for early risk stratification in young adults.

Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Family History, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Fasting Glucose, Glycated Haemoglobin, Insulin Resistance, HOMA IR.