Free-living physical activity energy expenditure is strongly related to glucose intolerance in Cameroonian adults independently of obesity.
- Felix K. Assah, MD1,
- Ulf Ekelund, PhD (ulf.ekelund{at}mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk)1,
- Soren Brage, PhD1,
- Jean Claude Mbanya, PhD2 and
- Nicholas J. Wareham, PhD1
- 1MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, Box 285 Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
- 2Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, BP 8046 Yaounde, Cameroon
Abstract
Objective: We examined the cross-sectional association between objectively measured free-living physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and glucose tolerance in adult Cameroonians without known diabetes.
Research design and methods: PAEE was measured in 34 volunteers using the doubly labelled water method and indirect calorimetry (resting). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2 hours post-load blood glucose (2-h BG) were measured during a standard 75g OGTT.
Results: There was a significant negative correlation between PAEE and 2 hour glucose (r=−0.43, p=0.01) but not with fasting glucose (r=0.1, p=0.57). The inverse association between PAEE and 2 hour glucose remained after adjustment for age, sex, smoking alcohol consumption and BMI (β=−0.017, 95%CI: −0.033, −0.002) and was unchanged after further adjustment for waist circumference, body fat percentage or aerobic fitness.
Conclusion: PAEE is inversely associated with 2 hour glucose independently of adiposity or fitness. Interventions aimed at increasing PAEE could play an important role in diabetes prevention in developing countries.
Footnotes
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- Received August 21, 2008.
- Accepted November 11, 2008.
- Copyright © American Diabetes Association
