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Relationships between glycaemic abnormalities, obesity and insulin resistance in nondiabetic Polynesians of New Caledonia

International Journal of Obesity volume 31, pages 109–113 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Polynesians in New Caledonia have an increased risk for developing diabetes, compared to Melanesians or Europeans. They are also more prone to obesity. The aim of this study was to analyse differences in the pre-diabetic state that may explain the varying susceptibility to diabetes between these three ethnic groups, focusing on the balance between insulin resistance and capacity of pancreatic cells to secrete insulin.

Design and subjects:

The CALDIA Study is a population-based cross-sectional survey of diabetes prevalence conducted in New Caledonia. All participants who did not have diabetes, according to the results of a 0–2 h oral glucose tolerance test (n=392), were selected for analysis.

Results:

Compared to Europeans, Polynesians and Melanesians had significantly higher body mass indices (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratios (WHRs). Polynesians had higher fasting plasma glucose values than Europeans or Melanesians (6.03 mmol/l, vs 5.78 and 5.46, respectively; P<0.0001). Fasting plasma insulin level and the estimate of insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment were not significantly different between the three ethnic groups. Homeostasis model assessment estimate of β-cell secretory capacity was lower in Polynesians compared to the two other ethnic groups (83.1 mU/mmol, vs 119.3 and 125.2, respectively; P<0.02).

Conclusion:

Despite a high prevalence of central obesity, as judged by high BMI and WHR, in Polynesians of New Caledonia, their high risk of diabetes may be more strongly related to a defect in insulin secretion capacity than to insulin resistance.

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Acknowledgements

We thank each member of the CALDIA Study Group who permitted the design and/or conduction of the CALDIA Study. Coordination, INSERM - in France: L Papoz (principal coordinator), D Simon, J Cubeau, A Lacroux, A Forhan and A Ponton; in New Caledonia: S Barny (local coordinator), D Juranville, H Lmahdi and R Manuohalalo. Health and Social Services in New Caledonia - Medical and Research Commission: F Ledoux and C Merger; Territory: M Germain; North Province: P Calen and P Genty; Loyalty Islands: J Coscoquela and P Buffet; South Province: JG Lambert and P Baqué; and Biochemistry (Territorial Hospital): S Solar and Y Barguil.

We thank V Wirquin of the Henri Mondor Hospital Laboratory (Créteil, France) for the measures of fasting plasma insulin.

This research was financed by Grant 492015 from the INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale), Grant 607006 from the French Ministry of Cooperation, with additional support from the Medical Commission and the Provinces of New Caledonia, the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Noumea, and Behring Diagnostic Laboratory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM, UR024 Epiprev, IRD, Montpellier, France

    R Defay, A Lacroux & A Fontbonne

  2. INSERM E0361, Montpellier, France

    I Jaussent

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  1. R Defay
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  2. I Jaussent
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  4. A Fontbonne
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the CALDIA Study Group

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Correspondence to A Fontbonne.

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Defay, R., Jaussent, I., Lacroux, A. et al. Relationships between glycaemic abnormalities, obesity and insulin resistance in nondiabetic Polynesians of New Caledonia. Int J Obes 31, 109–113 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803384

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