Exploring the prevalence of hyperglycemia and the link to physical fitness in young Danish women with overweight - A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) at 20 years of age is associated with a reduction in life expectancy of 17.9 years. With an increasing prevalence of overweight among young people, we aimed to assess the prevalence of T2D and intermediate hyperglycaemia among young Danish women with overweight or obesity, who had not been previously diagnosed with T2D. Furthermore, we aimed to examine associations between markers of hyperglycaemia (glucose tolerance, fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR), body composition, physical fitness, and other lifestyle factors.

METHODS: In this multicentre, cross-sectional study, we included 111 women aged 18-30 years with BMI> 25 kg/m2 who engaged in little or no regular physical activity. Participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and fasting blood samples were obtained and analysed for fasting glucose, insulin, and lipids. Other outcomes included measurements of anthropometry and body composition (DXA), physical activity level (PAL), physical fitness (Aastrand's bike test), hand grip strength, and countermovement jump. Dietary intake was estimated through 4-day dietary records, and calcium intake was estimated through food frequency questionnaires.

RESULTS: Among women (24 ± 3 years) with a BMI of 30.9 ± 4.8 kg·m-2, 19.8 % were classified with intermediate hyperglycaemia and 2.7 % with T2D, despite no previous diabetes diagnosis. Markers of hyperglycaemia were inversely associated with PAL and physical fitness and positively associated with BMI and fat mass.

CONCLUSION: In a cohort of young women with overweight or obesity, not previously diagnosed with T2D, every fifth exhibited intermediate hyperglycaemia, which was linked to low physical fitness and high BMI.