Physical activity, dietary intake and metabolic risk factors in non-diabetic daughters of patients with type II diabetes

Background. It has been reported that the offspring of patients with type II diabetes have an adverse metabolic risk profile. This study aimed to investigate the impact of habitual physical activity and diet on metabolic risk factors in the daughters of patients with type II diabetes and control subjects. Methods. Thirty-nine offspring and 39 age- and sex-matched controls completed physical activity and food intake diaries, during the week preceding a fasting blood sample. Results. The offspring had higher body mass index, percentage body fat, and waist circumference than the control subjects (all P < 0.01). Fasting glucose and insulin, and insulin sensitivity estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMAIR) method, were also higher in the offspring group (all P < 0.01). Daily energy expenditure was lower (P < 0.0001) in the offspring than control group. Dietary profile was not different between the groups. Daily energy expenditure was significantly correlated with waist circumference, fasting insulin, and HOMAIR (all P < 0.05) in offspring but not controls. Conclusions. Offspring had a less favourable physical and metabolic profile and were less physically active than control subjects. In offspring, central adiposity and metabolic risk factors were influenced by habitual physical activity to a greater degree than in control subjects.