The study addresses the gap in motivation for lifestyle modifications in early diabetes patients without obesity, a common scenario in Asian populations. Japanese healthcare systems offer frequent diet and exercise guidance with minimal economic burden, yet there is a lack of short-term, high-confidence physical activity information promoting continued exercise. This study focuses on body composition and exercise-specific muscle strength in early-stage diabetic patients.
Subjects and Methods:1200 patients attending a suburban Japanese diabetic clinic were observed from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. Inclusion criteria were recent onset of diabetes and consent to participate alongside standard treatment. Bi-monthly body composition assessments were performed using Inbody (USA), including measurements of muscle mass, fat mass, and grip strength. Statistical analyses involved ROC analysis with HbA1c levels as dependent variables.
Results:65 of 221 first-time patients participated. The average participant age was 65 years, with 66% male and an average BMI of 24.4. No dropouts occurred. ROC analysis identified significant influences of right upper arm and trunk muscle mass on achieving an HbA1c of less than 6% after 6 months. A significant change in body fat mass between the second and third assessments was correlated with a prediction of HbA1c >8%.
Considerations:This study suggests that changes in muscle strength and fat mass in non-obese early-stage diabetic patients can influence HbA1c levels. Detailed body composition information could offer new insights into data analysis and improve self-management practices for both patients and healthcare providers, particularly through the use of cloud-based technologies.
A. Kimura: None.
