O-90 Differences in body and muscle composition by diabetes status among Tobagonian men: 6-year follow-up
Author(s):
A Grant , R Cvejkus , J Zmuda , V Wheeler, I Miljkovic
Type Of Study:
- Analytical Study
- Quantitative
- Observational Study
Year of Presentation:
2026
Objective: Emerging studies have indicated bidirectional
relationships between age-related changes in body composition and diabetes (T2D) status, signifying that changes
in body composition may also be a consequence of T2D.
This study aims to evaluate differences in 6-year changes in
body and skeletal muscle composition among middle-aged
Tobagonian men with and without T2D.
Methods: Men aged 40-54 participating in the Tobago Health Study (n=724) were followed prospectively for 6.2 years. Baseline T2D status was determined via fasting blood glucose (FBG) and T2D medication use. Participants having an FBG ≥126 mg/dL or taking T2D medication were classified as having T2D while those with an FGB <126 mg/ dL were classified as not having T2D. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess body composition, while calf skeletal muscle density and area were evaluated using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Linear regression models were used to determine whether longitudinal changes in total and regional body composition differed by diabetes status.
Results: T2D was prevalent among 12.4% of participants at baseline. DXA-derived total whole-body, trunk, arm, and leg adiposity increased significantly among men without T2D over the follow up period, but not among men with T2D. Men with T2D experienced a significantly greater decrease in calf skeletal muscle density (indicating increasing muscle adiposity) and muscle area compared to men without T2D. Additionally, those with T2D had a 2-fold decrease in DXA appendicular lean mass compared to men without T2D.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest living with T2D may impact muscle mass and composition among middle-aged Tobagonian men. To promote healthy aging, interventions should target T2D prevention among middle-aged men to maintain muscle health and prevent associated physical and metabolic dysfunctions. The incorporation of routine monitoring of body composition changes in middle-aged men with T2D could be an important component of T2D management.