Glucose Intolerance, Insulin Resistance and Obesity Risk in Children with Family History of Type II Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Genetic milieu increases the risk of diabetes; it results in disturbance of a number of metabolic pathways involved in blood glucose levels regulation and body weight. Family history of type II diabetes is one of the potential risk factors for developing diabetes.
Objective: The objective of the research was to determine early disturbance in the carbohydrate metabolism and the risk of overweight and obesity among children with family history of type II diabetes.
Materials and Methods: A total of 184 subjects (males & females) with and without family history of diabetes (FHD) were included in the study. Body weight, height and waist circumference was measured, BMI was calculated. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2hr oral glucose tolerance test (2hr OGTT), HbA1C and serum insulin levels were determined in duplicate, and HOMA-IR was calculated for insulin resistance index. Results: It was observed that children of type II diabetic parents had significantly higher body weight, BMI, waist circumference, FBG, HbA1C, 2hr OGTT and HOMA-IR. There was high degree of prevalence of overweight, obesity, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired 2hr oral glucose tolerance test in subjects with FHD compared to those with no FHD. There was significant association of HbA1-C, IFG, impaired 2hr-OGTT and BMI with FHD. There was no association of FBG with BMI.
Conclusion: Children of type 2 diabetic parents have metabolic disturbances at an early age resulting in glucose intolerance and insulin resistance which predisposes them at a risk of type II diabetes and obesity.*There is no conflict of interest between authors.