Influence of family history of NIDDM on basal metabolic rate in sedentary and active women

Aim and methods: The influence of family history of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) on basal metabolic rate (BMR) has been investigated in 116 voluntarily women: 25 sedentary and 34 athletes without a family predisposition to type 2 diabetes (FH-); 21 sedentary and 15 athletes with a second degree predisposition to NIDDM (FH +); 10 sedentary and 11 athletes with a first degree predisposition to NIDDM (FH ++). Results: The results showed that family history on type 2 diabetes is strongly related to sedentary in women with significant high body weight values and an increased fat mass. There was no significant difference in the body parameters among the athletes groups, confirming the protective role of regular physical activity on these parameters. Analysing basal energy expenditure showed that sedentary FH ++ women had a significant increase in BMR in absolute values; however there were no differences in BMR when reported to body weight and body fat-free mass. In contrast, the FH ++ athletes group had lower BMR (absolute values) than the sedentary group. No differences were found in the relative BMR either. By comparing the recorded BMR of the groups with the theoretical values, it has been shown that the FH ++ athletes had a reduced increase in BMR with respect to the other groups. The FH - athletes showed a higher energy turnover compared to the other women and relative to predicted values. Conclusion. This study confirms that family history of type 2 diabetes has an important influence on the phenotype of women and it can be associated with significant metabolic and anthropometric modifications in young healthy subjects. It may also account for changes in the body composition and basal metabolic rate alterations in subjects with a predisposition to type 2 diabetes, by reducing the metabolic basal output expected in active subjects.