Obesity Education Initiative Electronic Textbook--Methodology and Trial Evidence

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			Introduction · Rationale · Methodology and Trial Evidence · Treatment Guidelines · References · Appendices
		Evidence-Based Guidelines Methodology · Trial Evidence · Evidence Model
	Why Treat Overweight and Obesity · What Treatments Are Effective
Blood Pressure · Serum, Plasma Lipids, and Lipoproteins · Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Diabetes · Decreases in Abdominal Fat With Weight Loss
Lifestyle Trials \| Pharmacotherapy Trials \| Abdominal Fat \| Fitness

3.c. Abdominal Fat

Evidence Statement: Decreases in abdominal fat improve glucose tolerance in overweight individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, although this has not been shown to be independent of weight loss. Evidence Category C.

Rationale: Two RCTs testing the effects of weight loss on changes in glucose tolerance and insulin also had measures of abdominal fat, as measured by waist circumference (369, 373). In each study, waist circumference was reduced along with weight loss and glucose tolerance improved. Neither study was designed to test whether reductions in waist circumference improved glucose tolerance or diabetic control independent of weight loss.

Evidence exists from observational studies that abdominal fat is related to impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes independent of BMI. For instance, a few studies have found a significant relationship between abdominal fat loss and improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin action (415-418).

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