Anthropological Characteristic of the Distribution of Adipose Tissue in Bulgarian Females with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The complex study of adipose tissue in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is of importance for the clinical course and prognosis of the disease. AIM: To study the distribution of adipose tissue in Bulgarian females with T2DM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 92 women with T2DM (age range 40-60 years). The control group consisted of 40 age-matched women. Measurement parameters: height, weight, 9 skinfolds (sf) - sfTriceps, sfBiceps brachii, sfForearm, sfSubscapular, sfXrib, sfAbdomen, sfSuprailiaca, sfThigh, and sfCalf; bioelectrical impedance analysis - % body fat tissue and visceral fat tissue. Calculated indexes: body mass index (BMI), the ratio sfTrunk to sfLimbs, the ratio skin folds upper half of body/skin folds lower half of body, fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the means of sfTriceps, sfXrib, sfThigh, sfCalf, % body fat tissue, visceral fat tissue, and fat mass and subcutaneous fat mass between the diabetic and healthy women. The body composition of diabetic females aged 40-60 years contained a larger adipose component than controls. Visceral adipose tissue which determines the body composition is a reliable indicator of the health risks in diabetic women. CONCLUSION: The pattern of subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution in diabetic females aged 40-60 yrs was primarily in the upper torso region and less so in the limbs. In the controls adipose tissue is accumulated primarily in the limbs and in the lower part of the body.

Correlations between human somatotype components and some anthropometric parameters in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study was to find and compare the correlations between somatotype and some anthropological parameters in Bulgarian male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anthropometric measurements were taken from 165 male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. All patients were ethnic Bulgarians. They were divided into two age groups: a 40-60-year group (58 patients, mean age 52.05 ± 0.73 yrs), and a 61-80-year group (111 patients, mean age 68.02 ± 0.53 yrs). The controls were allocated into similar age-matched groups. Direct anthropometric measurements were body height and weight, biepicondylar breadth of the humerus and biepicondylar breadth of the femur. Circumferential measurements were taken from the relaxed and contracted upper arm, the forearm, the waist, the hip, the thigh and the medial calf. Skin folds were measured below the inferior angle of the scapula, above the X rib, above the crista iliaca, at the abdomen, triceps brachii, forearm, thigh and the medial calf. The components of human somatotype according to the criteria of Heath-Carter, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. RESULTS: We found very strong positive correlations (PC > 0.70) between BMI and the endomorphic and mesomorphic components of somatotype in 40-60-year-old male diabetic patients. The correlation between the endomorphic and mesomorphic components of somatotype and the anthropometric measurements characterizing the central accumulation of adipose tissue (waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR) was very strong positive (PC = 0.5-0.7). Male diabetic patients aged 61-80 years: we found a very strong positive correlation between endomorphic and mesomorphic components and BMI, a strong correlation between these components and the waist circumference, and a good correlation between the components and the circumferences of the waist and hip and WHR. CONCLUSIONS: In male patients with type 2 diabetes aged 40-60 years, the endomorphic and mesomorphic components of somatotype are strongly positively correlated with the parameters which characterize the total adipose tissue accumulation in the human body (BMI). There is a good positive correlation between the two components of somatotype and the parameters showing visceral adipose tissue accumulation (circumferences of waist, hip, thigh and WHR). In male patients with type 2 diabetes aged 61-80 years we found a strong positive correlation of the endomorphic and mesomorphic components of somatotype with BMI and a good positive correlation with the circumferences of the waist, hip, thigh and WHR.

Somatotype characteristics of female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

UNLABELLED: The AIM of the present study was to determine the somatotype of females patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two-hundreds and twelve female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were measured. The patients were of Bulgarian ethnicity and were divided into two age groups: Group 1: 40-60 years of age and Group 2: 61-80 years of age. The control group comprised healthy females of Bulgarian ethnicity without any metabolic, neoplastic, or other disease divided into age matched groups. Measurements obtained directly were height, body weight, biepicondylar width of humerus, biepicondylar width of femur, arm circumference in relaxed state, arm circumference in contracted state, and calf circumference. Skin folds: subscapular, suprailiac, over triceps and calf. Parameters calculated: the components of the Heath-Carter anthrpometric somatotype. RESULTS: The mean somatotype of 40-60-year-old female diabetics was mesomorph endomorph, (meso 6.09; endo 6.59; ecto 1.57). The mean somatotype of 40-60-year-old female controls was mesomorphic endomorph (meso 5.65; endo 6.82; ecto 2.75). The mean somatotype of 61-80-year-old diabetic females was endomorphic mesomorph (endo-mesomorph), (meso 9.41; endo 5.39; ecto 1.55). The mean somatotype of 61-80-year-old female controls was mesomorph-endomorph (meso 6.70; endo 6.66; ecto 2.95). Between-age comparison of female diabetics: the endomorph component dominated in the group of 40-60-year-old patients, and the mesomorph component dominated in the group of 61-80-year-old patients. In both groups ectomorphy markedly lagged behind. CONCLUSION: The mean somatotype of diabetic females aged 40-60 years is mesomoph-endomorph; it differs from the mesomorphic mesomorph somatotype of the control subjects, Endomorphy and mesomorphy dominate clearly, and ectomorphy significantly lags behind. This was the reason we get a distorted somatoplot with a sharp shift to endomorphy and mesomorhpy. The mean somatotype of diabetic women aged 60-80 years was endomorphic mesomorphy with the mesomorphy component leading. It differed from the somatotype of the controls, where mesomorphy and endomorphy scored equally (mesomorph-endomorph). The somatotype of female diabetics suggests that they have a relatively massive skeleton with well-developed muscles and greater body weight relative to height. Unlike the results of studies in other countries presenting with markedly dominating endomorphy, in our study the Bulgarian diabetic females presented with dominating mesomorphy. This can be regarded as a peculiarity of the Bulgarian diabetic patients. The somatotype of the Bulgarian diabetic females is more favorable on the risk, course and prognosis of the disease.

Somatotype characteristics of male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder and as such it no doubt affects the components of somatotype of diabetics. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the somatotype of males with type 2 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the study we assessed anthropometrically 169 male patients with type 2 diabetes. The patients were Bulgarian; they were allocated into two age groups: group 1 included 40-60-year-old patients and group 2--61-80-year olds. Healthy Bulgarian men without any history of metabolic, neoplastic, or other diseases were used as controls divided into age matched groups. Measurements obtained directly were height, body weight, biepicondylar breadth of humerus, biepicondylar breadth of femur, relaxed upper arm circumference, contracted upper arm circumference, forearm circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, thigh circumference, calf circumference. Skin folds: subscapular, over rib 10, suprailiac, over abdomen, triceps, biceps, forearm, thigh, calf. Calculated parameters: Heath-Carter anthropometric somatotype components. RESULTS: Mean somatotype of 40-60-year-old male diabetics was endomorphic mesomorph (endo-mesomorph), (endo 5.03; meso 6.57; ecto 2.01). Mean somatotype 61-80-year-old diabetic males was endomorphic mesomorph (endo-mesomorph), (endo 4.14; meso 5.88; ecto 1.64). The between-age comparison showed the somatotype in both age groups of diabetic males to be endomorphic mesomorph. The mesomorphy was dominant, followed by endomorphy and ectomorphy was far behind. The differences in the ratings of the somatotype components were of high statistical significance (P < 0.001). The mesomorphy and endomorphy ratings in patients with type 2 diabetes aged 40-60 years were greater than those of patients aged 61-80 years with the difference reaching statistical significance (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both age groups of male diabetics presented with endomorphic mesomorph somatotype. Mesomorphy was the highest, followed by endomorphy. Ectomorphy lagged substantially behind, leading to a shift in the somatoplot upward to mesomorphy and leftward to endomorphy. Unlike the findings of studies in foreign countries presenting markedly dominating endomorphy, in our study Bulgarian diabetic males presented with dominating mesomorphy. This can be regarded as a characteristic feature of Bulgarian diabetic patients. This could be accounted for by the role played by factors such as lifestyle, habits, environment, diet, methods of treatment, etc. The somatotype of Bulgarian diabetic males (endomorphic mesomorph) is more favourable with regard to the risk, course and prognosis of the disease.

Assessment of body composition of male patients with type 2 diabetes by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder and as such should affect the components of body composition of diabetics. The changes it induces in patients complement the anthropological characteristics of this disease. The AIM of the present study was to assess the effect type 2 diabetes has on some of the body composition components in male diabetics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 169 male patients with type 2 diabetes. All patients (ethnical Bulgarian) were allocated into two age groups: group 1--patients aged 40-60 years and group 2--patients aged 61-80 years. Direct measurements of parameters were performed with a Tanita body composition analyser. The bioimpedance parameters we measured were body fat percentage (%BF), total body water percentage (%TBW), muscle mass (MM), bone mass (BM), and visceral fat (VF). The derived parameters were total body fat (TBF) (kg), active body mass (ABM) (kg), active body mass percentage. RESULTS: Body composition of male diabetics aged 40-60 years: %BF, VF and TBF were statistically significantly higher in diabetics than in healthy controls. Body composition of male diabetic patients aged 61-80 years: BM and VF were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls. %BF and MM did not have a high statistical significance. Inter-age comparison of body composition in male diabetics: we found that %BF, %TBW, MM and BM tend to be higher in 40-60-year-olds. Visceral fat was increased in the 61-80-year-olds, the difference reaching high statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) of body composition showed the total body fat in male diabetics of both age groups to be greater than that in controls. TBF was greater in the younger age group at the expense of the subcutaneous fat, while in the more elderly patients it was the visceral fat that was increased, which makes their body composition correlate rather adversely with the prognosis, course and outcome of the disease. The relative percentage of active body mass was greater in the healthy individuals than in diabetic patients. This parameter was higher in the younger age group of diabetic patients than in the more elderly patients; this finding is probably due to the longer duration of the disease and also to aging changes such as osteoporosis, muscle atrophy and decreased quantities of body water.

Somatotypological characteristics of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Human constitutional types are genetically predetermined and remains constant in their basic features. The type could be changed to a certain extent by environmental factors, diseases and some other factors. AIM: To define the somatotype of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and compare it to the somatotype of healthy children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An anthropometrical study was performed in 71 boys and 69 girls with type 1 diabetes. The anthropometric measures including weight, height, corrected contracted arm girth, medial calf girth, triceps brachii, subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds, biepicondylar humerus breadth and biepicondylar femur breadth were taken to determine the somatotype. The somatotypes were determined according to Heath-Carter method (1967). The sample was divided into two age groups for both sexes: from 7 to 12 and from 12 to 18 years. One hundred healthy age-matched boys and girls were used as a control sample in the study. RESULTS: The diabetic boys aged 7 - 12 years presented with balanced mesomorph somatotype (endo 2.7-meso 4.8-ecto 2.3), while the healthy boys were with endomorphic mesomorph somatotype (3.4-5.2-2.7). Both the diabetic and healthy boys aged 12-18 years presented with balanced mesomorph somatotype (3.1-4.2-3.5 and 3.4-5.0-3.2, respectively). The somatotype of the diabetic girls aged 7-12 years was balanced mesomorph (3.0-4.2-2.8). The healthy girls of the same age presented with the endomorphic mesomorph (3.7-4.9-2.7). The diabetic girls aged 12-18 years were with mesomorphic endomorph somatotype (4.9-3.7-2.5) and the somatotype of the healthy girls was mesomorph endomorph (4.5-4.1-2.9). CONCLUSION: Mesomorphy was dominant in the diabetic and healthy boys. Mesomorphy was dominant in the diabetic and healthy girls aged 7-12 years. In the 12-18 age group endomorphy increased becoming dominant in the diabetic children and equal to mesomorphy in the healthy ones.