Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Reduced β-Cell Function in Overweight Latino Children with a Positive Family History for Type 2 Diabetes

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2004-01, Vol.89 (1), p.207-212
• Main Authors: Goran, Michael I., Bergman, Richard N., Avila, Quintilia, Watkins, Michael, Ball, Geoff D. C., Shaibi, Gabriel Q., Weigensberg, Marc J., Cruz, Martha L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Aging; Biological and medical sciences; Birth Weight; Blood Glucose - analysis; Body Composition; Body Constitution; Body Mass Index; Child; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes, Gestational - complications; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Family; Fasting; Female; Glucose Intolerance - epidemiology; Glucose Intolerance - etiology; Glucose Intolerance - physiopathology; Glucose Tolerance Test; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Insulin - blood; Islets of Langerhans - physiopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Obesity - complications; Obesity - physiopathology; Pregnancy; Puberty; Regression Analysis
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2003-031402

The objective of this study was to examine relationships between impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and body composition and insulin-related phenotypes in 150 overweight Latino children with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Glucose tolerance was assessed by an oral glucose challenge. Body composition was assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging. Insulin sensitivity, the acute insulin response, and the disposition index (DI), as an index of β-cell function, were determined by an iv glucose tolerance test and compared between normal glucose-tolerant and IGT children. IGT was present in 28% of children, and was similar across obesity groups, but higher in children exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (41% IGT). There were no significant differences in body composition, fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, or acute insulin response, but DI was significantly lower in IGT children by 16% (P < 0.02), and DI was inversely related to age. In conclusion, IGT is present in 28% of overweight Latino children with a family history of type 2 diabetes, is not influenced by obesity, is more prevalent in children exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus, and is related to poor β-cell function, which shows signs of deterioration with age in this population.