Oral glucose tolerance and its relationship to overweight and other cardiovascular risk factors in men aged 33–42: A study in the Community of Habo, Sweden

Abstract

Objective – To study the prevalence of family history of diabetes, overweight, and glucose intolerance in a defined general population, and the associations between these variables and others involved in the so-called metabolic syndrome (blood pressure, obesity, serum lipids).

Design – An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done on all participants in a population study who reported a family history of diabetes or had a body mass index (BMI) ≥27.

Setting and participants – A population study of men aged 33–42 was carried out at Habo in southwestern Sweden (participation rate 86.1%). An OGTT was done on 170 men who fulfilled the criteria stated above.

Results – Overweight was a risk factor for impaired glucose tolerance and was more strongly associated with this state than was a family history of diabetes. Glucose intolerance was also associated with increased blood glucose concentration during the OGTT and with other metabolic disturbances such as increased serum lipids, increased blood pressure, and physical inactivity.

Conclusions – The combination of overweight and impaired glucose tolerance is already common at a rather young age in men and is often combined with impairment of arterial blood pressure and serum lipids. The results indicate that it is urgent to start preventive measures early in life.

Key Words:

• coronary heart disease
• men
• oral glucose tolerance
• population study
• risk factors