Sex-specific associations of anthropometric markers with prediabetes in the general population.

All body composition markers were significantly associated with all OGTT parameters in both sexes.

• Cross-sectional data from 3628 subjects (1898 women, 52%) aged 20–84 years from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-Trend-0) were analyzed.
• Markers included body anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging.
• OGTT parameters included fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, 2-h post-load glucose and insulin, and glucose tolerance categories.
• Linear and multinomial logistic regression models were used, stratified by sex and adjusted for confounding.

In women, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver fat content were most strongly associated with OGTT parameters.

• Among women, VAT and liver fat content showed the largest effect sizes compared to other body composition markers.
• These associations were observed across multiple OGTT parameters including fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and 2-h post-load values.
• The study used magnetic resonance imaging to quantify visceral adipose tissue and liver fat content.

In men, waist-to-height ratio showed the strongest association with OGTT parameters.

• Among all anthropometric and body composition markers tested in men, waist-to-height ratio had the largest effect sizes.
• This finding contrasts with women, where imaging-derived measures (VAT and liver fat) were more strongly associated.
• Waist-to-height ratio is a simple anthropometric measure that can be obtained without specialized equipment.

Relative fat-free mass was the only marker inversely associated with OGTT parameters in both men and women.

• Higher relative fat-free mass was associated with lower values of fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and 2-h post-load glucose and insulin in both sexes.
• This inverse association was consistent across all OGTT parameters examined.
• All other body composition markers showed positive associations with OGTT parameters.

The associations of all body composition markers with OGTT parameters were more pronounced in men than in women overall.

• A consistent pattern of stronger associations in men compared to women was observed across body composition markers and OGTT parameters.
• This sex difference in effect size was noted across anthropometric, bioelectrical impedance, and MRI-derived measures.
• The authors conclude that sex-specific body composition markers may need to be considered in clinical practice to predict future prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

The study population comprised 3628 subjects from the general population with a wide age range.

• Participants were aged between 20 and 84 years.
• The sample included 1898 women (52%) and was drawn from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-Trend-0).
• The study design was cross-sectional, limiting causal inference.
• Glucose tolerance categories were assessed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).