home

Men develop type 2 diabetes at lower BMI than women

03 October 2011

Actions

Rate this page

Share

Show all

Men are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes at a lower body mass index (BMI) than women, according to a new study published in the journal Diabetologia.

Researchers compared the BMI of over 95,000 men and women diagnosed with diabetes. They found that men generally had a lower BMI at diagnosis than the women – the average BMI for men was 31.83 kg/m2 and for women it was 33.69 kg/m2.

Dr Prerna Sharma, Senior Physician, Bupa Health and Wellbeing UK, said: “This study explores the theory that men are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than women, but we still don’t know why. The researchers suggest that it may be related to the differences in body fat distribution between men and women. Women carry more subcutaneous fat (fat located under the skin), whereas men carry more visceral fat (fat deep in the abdomen in and around internal organs). Visceral fat is thought to be more harmful to health. However, because the researchers didn’t measure the body fat distribution of the people in the study, this is nothing more than speculation.

“It’s also important to note that this study only looked at a white population, therefore, the findings can’t be applied to other ethnicities. It will be interesting to see if further research in at risk groups of people, such as those of African-Caribbean or South-Asian origin, draws the same conclusions.

“The overriding message from this study is clear – if you’re overweight you have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This risk will increase depending on a number of factors including gender, age and weight. There is little you can do about your gender or age. However, you can do something about your weight – losing any excess weight you have will make a big difference to your health.”

The study looked at almost 52,000 men and over 43,000 women with diabetes. The information was collected from a diabetes register in Scotland. Each person’s BMI had been measured within one year of being diagnosed. Other details, such as their blood glucose level and whether or not they smoked, were also collected.

Key facts

  • Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition in which the body can’t control levels of glucose in the blood. It develops when the body can’t make enough insulin or doesn't respond to it.
  • It is thought that diabetes affects nearly 350 million people worldwide with around 90 percent of people having type 2 diabetes.
  • You’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you’re overweight or obese, have a family history of the condition, are of African-Caribbean or South-Asian origin, are aged over 40 or don’t exercise regularly.
  • Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include extreme tiredness, thirst, passing more urine than usual and having blurred vision.

Body mass index (BMI) takes into account your weight and height and is, in general, a good indicator of how much body fat you have. If your BMI is:

  • less than 18.5 – you're underweight
  • between 18.5 and 24.9 – you're a healthy weight
  • between 25 and 29.9 – you're overweight
  • between 30 and 39.9 – you're obese
  • over 40 – you're morbidly obese (your weight is particularly harmful to your health)

How can we help you?

Worried about the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle?

Get checked out with a Bupa Health Assessment. Our assessments are designed to help you understand and manage your health. Call 0845 600 3458 quoting ref HFS100 to book an appointment today.

Bupa Coronary Health Check

A health assessment that identifies the main risk factors for heart disease, with advice on how to look after your heart and manage your risk. Find out more about Bupa Coronary Health

Read the study

Logue K, Walker JJ, Colhoun HM et al. Do men develop type 2 diabetes at lower body mass indices than women? Diabetologia 2011. doi: 10.1007/s00125-011-2313 -3

Read more Bupa health news

Bupa By You

Bupa By You