Based on WHO, ATP III and IDF definitions prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is highest in Malaysia compared to other Asian countriesReference Mohamud, Ismail and Sharifuddin 1 , presence of insulin resistance (IR) being a requisite for the diagnosis of MetS. IR is associated with increased risk for typeII Diabetes Mellitus and cardiovascular diseasesReference McLaughlin, Abbasi and Cheal 2 .
To evaluate blood biochemical parameters, anthropometric indices and dietary intake and correlation of the latter with insulin resistance in apparently healthy Malaysians.
Insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and calculated as fasting glucose (mmol/L) * insulin (μIU/mL)/22·5.Reference Mathews, Hosker, Rudenski, Naylor, Treacher and Turner 3
Malaysians of all three ethnic categories (Malays, Chinese and Indians), 18 years old and above with BMI > 23, attending a specialist health care centre in Semenyih, are being invited to participate in the current study.
So far 16 female and 5 male participants have been assessed. Mean (±SD) age was 32.9y (±10·9) for women and 30·8y (±9·1) for male participants. Average BMI for all was 29·9 kg/m2 (±3·6) significantly higher (P = 0·01) than 23 kg/m2 which is the current cut off for categorisation as ‘overweight’ for South East Asian individuals. Mean fat mass for females was 31·7 kg (±6·7) and for the male was 35·1 kg (±13·2). Mean body fat percentage was 41·8 % (±6·3) for females (normal range: 18~28) and 38·4 % (±5·4) for the male (normal range: 10~20). Mean waist circumference was 85·9 cm (±6·5) for females (normal: 80) and 106·2 (±15·2) cm for the male (normal: 90). The average blood bio-chemical parameters for all participants were as follows: total blood cholesterol 6·0 mmol/L (±0·9) (normal <5·2); blood triglycerides 1·8 mmol/L (±1·6) (normal <1·7); HDL cholesterol 1·8 mmol/L (±0·6) (normal >1·0); LDL cholesterol 3·4 mmol/L (±0·9) (optimal <2·6).
There is a positive correlation between insulin resistance with, blood triglyceride, total blood cholesterol and blood LDL cholesterol levels in females (r = 0·48, r = 0·11. r = 0·4, respectively). In the combined data with both gender, we found significant negative correlation between insulin resistance and blood HDL cholesterol levels (r = 0·63, p = 0·03). Percentage of dietary fat contributing to total calorie intake was 43·3 % (±3·8) significantly higher than the recommendation-30 % (P = 0·006).
We propose dietary and lifestyle changes in insulin resistant individuals to tackle obesity related non-communicable diseases in Malaysian adults.
Ethical approval was obtained from the UNMC faculty of Science Research Ethics Committee.