Comparison of Regional Variation Of Body Composition In Type 2 Diabetics And Matched Controls Of An Urban Area Of Gujarat, India Using Bio-Electrical Impedance Method

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are closely related and as such both affect components of body composition which can be studied by various non-invasive tools available. We try to study regional body composition of type 2 diabetics in comparison to matched controls and to correlate differences observed if any. Method: A heterogeneous sample of 60 under treatment type2 diabetics of either sex with known glycaemic and lipidaemic control and equal number of age and sex matched controls were taken from our city. After baseline assessment direct measurement was done by instrument Omron KaradaScan (Model HBF -510, Japan).Using principle of tetra poplar bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) we derive regional distribution of subcutaneous fat and skeletal muscle in both groups and compare them for statistical significance. Result: We found significantly more subcutaneous fat in all regions ( mean values -trunk 27.30%,leg 36.63%, arm 39.36%) and significantly lesser mass of skeletal muscle in all regions (mean values -trunk 18.57%,leg 33.58%, arm 26.49%) in type 2 diabetics as compared to controls. Females had more subcutaneous fat in all regions as compared to males (average mean difference 10%) and lesser skeletal muscle in all regions compared to males (average mean difference 3%) with significance only for the previous and not the later parameter. Conclusion: BIA reveals that type 2 diabetics have excess subcutaneous fat in all body regions on expense of skeletal muscle with female disadvantage. Body composition analysis can be included as a strategy in managing metabolic derangements of type 2 diabetes.