Objective   To study the effects of body fat contents and distribution on plasma glucose and insulin in middle-aged and elderly population.

  Methods   Total 619 subjects aged 38 to 73 years old from Xicheng community of Beijing were included in this analysis. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference were measured by standard methods. Fasting serum glucose was detected on an automatic biochemistry analyzer and insulin were detected by a radioimmunoassay kit. Body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR) and insulin sensitive index (ISI) were calculated. The relationship between BMI, WHR and serum glucose and insulin was analyzed by multianaly sis methods.

  Results   The mean levels of fasting serum glucose, insulin and the incidence of hyperglycemia had an increasing tendency with BMI and WHR increasing, while ISI decreased with BMI and WHR increasing significantly. Such trends were more obvious in women than in men. WHR showed an independent effect on fasting serum glucose as well as BMI on fasting serum insulin after taking account of age and sex.

  Conclusion   Fasting serum glucose and insulin levels were nearly related to body fat. Controlling body weight, especially keeping a healthy body shape may be one of the most important and effective way to the prevention and cure of diabetes(Ⅱ).