Type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in Japanese Americans

• Published in: Diabetes research and clinical practice 2000-10, Vol.50, p.S73-S76
• Main Authors: Fujimoto, Wilfred Y, Bergstrom, Richard W, Boyko, Edward J, Chen, Kwang-Wen, Kahn, Steven E, Leonetti, Donna L, McNeely, Marguerite J, Newell, Laura L, Shofer, Jane B, Wahl, Patricia W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - anatomy & histology; Asian Americans - statistics & numerical data; Associated diseases and complications; Biological and medical sciences; Central adiposity; Coronary Disease - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - etiology; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Japan - ethnology; Life Style; Male; Medical sciences; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Type 2 diabetes; United States - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0168-8227; 1872-8227
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-8227(00)00182-0

Japanese Americans have experienced a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than in Japan. Research conducted in Seattle suggests that lifestyle factors associated with ‘westernization’ play a role in bringing out this susceptibility to diabetes. These lifestyle factors include consumption of a diet higher in saturated fat and reduced physical activity. A consequence of this is the development of central (visceral) adiposity, insulin resistance, and other features associated with this insulin resistance metabolic syndrome, such as dyslipidemia (high triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, and small and dense LDL particles), hypertension, and coronary heart disease. We have postulated that the superimposition of insulin resistance upon a genetic background of reduced β-cell reserve results in hyperglycemia and diabetes among Japanese Americans. This article reviews evidence that support this view.