Sex-specific vs. unisex body mass indices as predictors of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in older adults
Holbrook, T.L.; Wingard, D.L.; Barrett-Connor, E.
International Journal of Obesity 14(9): 803-807
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0307-0565 PMID: 2228411 Document Number: 352503
Sex differences were examined in the association of obesity with the risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) using body mass index (BMI). Unisex BMI classifications were compared with sex-specific categories, as defined by the Metropolitan Life Tables, based on predicting the 12-year incidence of NIDDM in men and women. 747 men and 969 women were included from a defined older caucasian population in Rancho Bernardo, California, who were 40 years of age or older at the baseline examination in 1972-1974 and who had complete diabetes-related data available then and between 1984-1987. The 12-year age-adjusted incidence rates for NIDDM increased with increasing BMI among women, but was increased only in the most obese category of men (relative risk (RR) = 2.3, P<0.05 for men; RR = 3.8, P<0.001 for women). Men and women had nearly identical rates of NIDDM in this obese category. When identical (unisex) BMI cutpoints were used, results were the same; (RR = 2.4, P<0.05 for men; RR = 3.1, P<0.01 for women). Data indicate that unisex and sex-specific cutpoints for BMI identify the same sex-specific patterns of association between obesity and risk of NIDDM.