Family history of diabetes identifies a group at increased risk for the metabolic consequences of obesity and physical inactivity in epic-norfolk: a population-based study

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To investigate the interaction of a family history of diabetes with obesity and physical inactivity on diabetes prevalence in middle-aged and elderly men and women.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional population-based study. SUBJECTS: 2912 men and 3561 women, aged 45–74 y. MEASUREMENTS: Body mass index (BMI), HbA1C, self-administered questionnaire including

questions on occupational physical activity and personal and family history of diabetes as part of the Norfolk arm of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk).

RESULTS: The prevalence of diabetes increased in a dose–response relationship with increasing BMI. There was an interaction between family history and obesity on diabetes risk in subjects

with a BMI of greater than 27.5 kg/m2 (_P_=0.049). Crude prevalence in individuals without a family history and BMI of 22.5–24.9 kg/m2 was 2.2% compared to 33.3% in those with a family

history and BMI over 35 kg/m2. Thirty-eight percent of the excess risk of diabetes in people with a family history could be avoided if their BMI did not exceed 30 kg/m2. Individuals who

reported sedentary occupations were at greater risk of diabetes compared to those reporting more active occupations. There was a synergistic effect of family history and self-reported

occupational physical activity on diabetes risk. CONCLUSION: Individuals with a family history of diabetes are at increased risk for the metabolic consequences of obesity and form an easily

identifiable group who may benefit from targeted intervention to prevent the development of obesity through increased physical activity. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This

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AFFILIATIONS * Department of Community Medicine, University of Cambridge, Institute of Public Health, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 2SR, UK LA Sargeant, NJ Wareham & K-T Khaw Authors * LA

Sargeant View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * NJ Wareham View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google

Scholar * K-T Khaw View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to LA Sargeant. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints

and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Sargeant, L., Wareham, N. & Khaw, KT. Family history of diabetes identifies a group at increased risk for the metabolic consequences

of obesity and physical inactivity in EPIC-Norfolk: a population-based study. _Int J Obes_ 24, 1333–1339 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801383 Download citation * Received: 10

November 1999 * Revised: 04 April 2000 * Accepted: 19 May 2000 * Published: 04 October 2000 * Issue Date: 01 October 2000 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801383 SHARE THIS ARTICLE

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by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative KEYWORDS * obesity * physical activity * family history * diabetes mellitus * epidemiology