Fat distribution and glucose metabolism in pregnancy: an anthropometric study of Barbadian women

ABSTRACT

Two hundred and fifty women were studied to evaluate the effects of maternal growth on glucose and insulin metabolism during the pregnancy. Participants were recruited from the antenatal clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados, if they booked by 16 weeks' gestation. Anthropometric indices, including skinfold thickness, weight, height and hip circumference, were measured at recruitment, and participants subjected to a 75-gm oral glucose tolerance test (WHO criteria) at 18 weeks' gestation. Fasting blood samples were collected for plasma lipids, venous plasma glucose (VPG), serum insulin, c-peptide and glycosylated haemoglobin. Samples were taken at 1 and 2 hours post glucose load for VGP (fasting p=0.003; 1 hour p=0.008; 2 hour p=0.026) and fasting insulin levels (p=0.02). High mean hip circumference at booking was associated with raised VPG (fastingp=0.07; 1 hour p=0.04; 2hour p=0.16) and fasting serum insulin (p<0.001). Fat distribution, rather than global obesity per se, may be an important factor influencing glucose and insulin metabolism during pregnancy (AU)