Visceral adipose tissue accumulation : could it be a risk factor in non-obese individuals?

Abstract EN

Background : The prevalence of obesity has increased in the past few decades.

Visceral obesity is a strong predictor of type 2 diabetes and is associated with insulin resistance.

The role of visceral adipose tissue accumulation in non-obese individuals with normal body mass index is not yet fully elucidated.

Objective : to evaluate the role of central fat distribution in non-obese individuals as a determinant of insulin resistance and to evaluate the role of measurement ofperi-renal fat and subcutaneous abdominal fat by Computed Tomography (CT) as indicators of this insulin resistance.

Study Design : This study was carried out at Ain Shams University Hospitals, on 60 lean subjects divided into 3 groups: 20 healthy control subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 20 patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 20 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Full clinical examination was done for each individual including calculation of the BMI and WHR.

After 12-14 hours overnight fast blood samples were withdrawn for the estimation of FBG, fasting plasma insulin (HOMA was calculated) and complete lipid profile.

Each individual was subjected to computed tomography for the estimation ofperi-renal fat and subcutaneous abdominal fat.