OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of total and local excess adipose tissue in adolescent boys, as determined by body mass index and skinfold thickness, on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood based on data from a 31-year prospective study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The results of a 31-year prospective observation of a cohort of males from the age of 12 are presented. The examination included measurement of body weight, skin fold thickness below the scapula, on the abdomen and over the triceps in adolescence with the calculation of the body mass index and body fat mass, and in adulthood, blood glucose and insulin with the calculation of the insulin resistance index (Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance — HOMA-IR).

RESULTS

Body mass index and skinfold thickness below the scapula and on the abdomen have been shown to increase with age, and skinfold thickness over the triceps and body fat mass have been shown to decrease. In each age group of adolescent boys in the upper tercile of obesity indicators (body mass index, skinfold thickness below the scapula and on the abdomen), the values of such biomarkers of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood as insulin and HOMA-IR were statistically significantly higher than in the lower tercile. This relationship is confirmed by weak but highly significant Spearman correlation coefficients. The probability of carbohydrate metabolism disorders is statistically significantly higher in adult males with high anthropometric indicators of obesity in adolescence.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders (increased insulin level and insulin resistance) in males aged 43 is related to increased anthropometric indicators of obesity in adolescence. Being overweight in boys during puberty is a particularly important factor that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood. Normalizing boys’ body weight before puberty may reduce this risk.