Background: Diabetes type 2 is a world wide spread disease with a multifactorial pathogenetic evolution. Various factors like obesity, physical inactivity and poor lifestyle habits contribute to its development. The aim of this study was to verify if in young healthy sedentary male and female there is positive correlation between family history to type 2 diabetes and an increase in body weight and fat mass, or alterations in basal glycemia values.
Methods: Totally183 male and 237 female healthy sedentary subjects were analysed in 2012, in Italy. They were divided in three groups: FH⁺ with first degree family history, FH⁺⁺ with second degree family history and FH- with no family history. Anthropometrics, body composition and blood parameters were assessed.
Results: Male had the highest BMI values (P<0.01). FH⁺ and FH⁺⁺had increased waist and hip circumferences and body weight (P<0.005 for men, P<0.0001 for women), body mass index (P<0.0001 in both sexes), waist-hip ratio (P<0.05 for men and women) and triceps skinfold (P<0.0005 for both sexes). Obesity incidence was higher in FH⁺ and FH⁺⁺compared to control groups.
Conclusions: The study confirms family history to diabetes type 2 as a risk factor for the development of the illness, mainly in a case of first degree of FH. Preventive interventions are necessary to promote significant life-style changes, such as increased physical activity and controlled quantity and quality of food intake.