Endocrine Abstracts

Aims: The introduction of Western diet has changed the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Korean young population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the obesity status and its effect on β-cell function and insulin resistance in a healthy young population in Korea.

Methods: This was a large-scale, community-based study conducted from January 2007 to December 2010. A total of 2,587 subjects (1,066 men and 1,521 women) aged 19–29 years who showed normal fasting glucose were enrolled. BMI was categorized into underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5–22.9), overweight (23.0–24.9), and obese (≥25.0 kg/m²) according to Asian-specific WHO criteria.

Results: Overweight and obese subjects were 22% and 28% in men, and 13% and 13% in women, respectively. HOMA-β was increased in obese men (189.4±97.6 vs. 152.8±84.4, P <0.001), and overweight and obese women (183.9±90.4 and 212.5±112.2 vs. 161.3±77.1, respectively, P <0.001), compared to normal-weight subjects. HOMA-IR was increased in overweight and obese men (2.25±0.91 and 2.76±1.40 vs. 1.92±0.75, respectively, P <0.001), and overweight and obese women (2.38±1.03 and 3.00±1.42 vs. 2.01±0.85, P <0.001), compared to normal-weight subjects. HOMA-β and HOMA-IR were significantly correlated with BMI in men (r=0.246 and 0.400, respectively, P <0.001), and women (r=0.245 and 0.395, respectively, P <0.001).

Conclusion: Not only obesity, but also overweight was significantly correlated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, even if in cases of normoglycemic young adults. Overweight should be taken more attention in a healthy young population.