Search Results (14)

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a key metabolic abnormality underlying type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. Although lifestyle and sociodemographic determinants are well described, the role of psychosocial constructs—such as purpose in life—remains insufficiently characterized. No prior study in large occupational samples has examined the associations between purpose in life and IR when evaluated through three complementary indices: the triglyceride–glucose index (TyG), the Single-Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator for Insulin Resistance (SPISE-IR), and the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR). Objectives: To analyze the cross-sectional associations between purpose in life and IR indicators in a large working population and determine whether these associations persist after accounting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 93,077 Spanish workers aged 20–69 years undergoing routine occupational health examinations. IR was estimated using TyG, SPISE-IR, and METS-IR indices. Purpose in life was assessed using the 10-item Purpose in Life Test and categorized into three groups based on the empirical distribution of scores. Multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, social class, smoking, Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity, and BMI were used to examine associations. Results: Lower purpose in life was consistently associated with higher IR categories across all indices. Compared with individuals reporting high purpose, those with low purpose had higher odds of belonging to the high IR category (TyG ORa 1.59; 95% CI 1.45–1.74; SPISE-IR ORa 1.94; 95% CI 1.76–2.13; METS-IR ORa 2.21; 95% CI 1.98–2.47). Adding purpose in life to sociodemographic and lifestyle models modestly improved discrimination for identifying high IR categories. Conclusions: In this large occupational cohort, purpose in life was independently associated with insulin resistance as measured by three metabolic indices. These findings highlight the relevance of psychosocial factors in metabolic health. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify temporal pathways and assess whether purpose-oriented approaches may contribute to improved metabolic profiles. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a key pathophysiological mechanism linking obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Office workers, due to prolonged sedentary behavior and suboptimal lifestyle patterns, may be particularly susceptible to IR. However, large-scale studies in this occupational group remain scarce. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of elevated IR risk using non–insulin-based indices—TyG, METS-IR, and SPISE—and their associations with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in a large sample of Spanish office workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 82,020 office workers from Spain (2021–2022). IR risk was assessed using the TyG index, METS-IR, and SPISE, all derived from fasting biochemical and anthropometric data. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables were self-reported using validated questionnaires. Sex-stratified analyses and multivariate logistic regression models were performed. Results: Men showed significantly higher odds of elevated IR risk compared to women across all indices: TyG (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 2.37–2.60), METS-IR (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.38–1.57), and SPISE (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.78–1.99). Smoking, physical inactivity, and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet were independently associated with elevated IR scores, regardless of sex or age. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of office workers exhibit elevated insulin resistance risk, particularly among men and those with unhealthy lifestyles. TyG, METS-IR, and SPISE are valuable, low-cost tools for early IR detection in occupational health settings. These findings support the implementation of preventive strategies targeting modifiable behaviors in sedentary working populations. Full article

Background: The early detection of insulin resistance (IR) is critical for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. The ECORE-BF index is a simple anthropometric tool for estimating body fat percentage and overweight. However, its potential utility as a predictor of IR risk has not been previously evaluated in large populations using validated IR indices. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 418,343 Spanish workers (172,282 women and 246,061 men) who underwent occupational health evaluations. The ECORE-BF index was calculated for all participants, and its association with four validated surrogate markers of IR was analyzed: the triglyceride–glucose index (TyG), TyG-BMI, METS-IR, and SPISE. Subjects were classified into normal or high-risk IR groups based on established cut-off values. We evaluated the mean ECORE-BF values across groups, the prevalence of ECORE-BF-defined obesity, and the diagnostic performance of ECORE-BF using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Participants with elevated IR index values had significantly higher mean ECORE-BF scores than those with normal values (p < 0.001). The prevalence of ECORE-BF-defined obesity was substantially higher in all high-risk IR groups, exceeding 99% for METS-IR and SPISE in both sexes. ROC analysis demonstrated the high diagnostic accuracy of ECORE-BF in predicting elevated IR risk, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging from 0.698 (TyG in men) to 0.992 (METS-IR in women). Sensitivity and specificity were also high, particularly for TyG-BMI, SPISE, and METS-IR, with optimal Youden indices above 0.75. Conclusions: ECORE-BF demonstrated high accuracy as a non-invasive tool for identifying individuals at increased insulin resistance risk; however, due to the cross-sectional design, predictive value for incident disease cannot be inferred. Its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high diagnostic accuracy support its potential utility in large-scale screening programs for early detection of metabolic risk. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a central feature in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and a major determinant of cardiovascular morbidity. While sociodemographic and lifestyle factors are established contributors, the role of social isolation as a potential determinant of IR remains underexplored in working populations. Objectives: To assess the association between sociodemographic variables, lifestyle habits, and social isolation with three validated insulin resistance indexes—Triglyceride–Glucose (TyG), Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR), and Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE-IR)—in a large cohort of Spanish workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 117,298 workers from occupational health centers across Spain. Sociodemographic data, lifestyle factors (Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity, and smoking), and social support levels (ENRICHD Social Support Instrument) were recorded. Biochemical and anthropometric parameters were obtained through standardized protocols. Logistic regression models estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for high IR risk across the three indexes, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Male sex, older age, lower social class, smoking, low Mediterranean diet adherence, physical inactivity, and low social support were independently associated with higher odds of IR in all three indexes. The strongest associations were observed for physical inactivity (OR range 6.21–9.95) and low social support (OR range 1.98–3.76). Although effect sizes varied by index, patterns of association were consistent. Conclusions: Sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors, including social isolation, are strongly associated with insulin resistance in working populations. Integrating social support assessment into occupational health strategies may enhance early detection and prevention of IR and related cardiometabolic diseases. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a key pathogenic mechanism underlying numerous cardiometabolic disorders. While sociodemographic and lifestyle determinants of IR are well-established, their association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains understudied. This study explores the relationship between IR risk, as measured by TyG, METS-IR, and SPISE-IR indices, and HRQoL in a large cohort of Spanish workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100,014 Spanish workers aged 18–69 years evaluated between January 2021 and December 2023. Exclusion criteria included incomplete clinical, laboratory, or questionnaire data. IR was assessed using TyG, METS-IR, and SPISE-IR indices. HRQoL was measured using the SF-12 questionnaire. Sociodemographic factors, physical activity (IPAQ), dietary habits (MEDAS-14), and social class (based on CNAE-11 and Spanish Society of Epidemiology criteria) were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v29.0. Results: Higher IR risk was consistently associated with older age, male sex, lower social class, current smoking, low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and physical inactivity. Lower HRQoL scores (both physical and mental components) were significantly associated with higher IR indices, particularly with METS-IR and SPISE-IR. These associations persisted after adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral covariates. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a robust association between insulin resistance risk and diminished health-related quality of life. The integration of validated IR indices and subjective health perception tools such as the SF-12 may enhance early identification of at-risk individuals in occupational health settings. Full article

Background/Objective: Shift work has been increasingly associated with adverse metabolic outcomes, including insulin resistance (IR), a key contributor to cardiometabolic diseases. However, few large-scale studies have explored the association between shift work and validated IR indices across sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, stratified by sex. To investigate the relationship between shift work and four surrogate markers of insulin resistance—TyG índex, TyG-BMI, METS-IR (Metabolic score for insulin resistance), and SPISE-IR (Single-Point insulin Sensitivity estimator)—in a large Spanish working population and to assess how sociodemographic and behavioral factors modify these associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 53,053 employed adults (31,753 men and 21,300 women) across various regions and labor sectors in Spain. Participants were classified as shift or non-shift workers based on their work schedules. Data were collected during routine occupational health assessments and included anthropometric, clinical, biochemical, and behavioral variables. IR indices were calculated using standard formulas. Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression, with stratification by sex. Results: Shift workers exhibited significantly higher levels of TyG, TyG-BMI, and METS-IR, and lower SPISE values compared to non-shift workers (all p < 0.001). These differences persisted after stratification by sex, age, education, and lifestyle factors. Logistic regression analyses confirmed that shift work independently predicted high IR risk across all indices, with adjusted ORs ranging from 1.49 to 1.89. Physical inactivity, low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and alcohol consumption were the strongest modifiable predictors. Men exhibited a higher burden of IR than women across all indices. Conclusions: Shift work is independently associated with elevated insulin resistance in both men and women. These findings emphasize the importance of workplace health interventions targeting physical activity, diet, and substance use, particularly in populations engaged in non-standard work schedules. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a key metabolic alteration that precedes type 2 diabetes and is closely linked to obesity and lifestyle factors. Occupational context may influence IR risk through variations in physical activity, diet, and socioeconomic determinants. Objective: To compare the risk of insulin resistance between workers in the commerce and industry sectors and identify associated sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, in order to improve their occupational health. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 56,856 Spanish workers, assessing four IR-related indices: Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG), TyG-BMI (Triglyceride-Glucose Body Mass Index), Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR), and the Single-Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE-IR). The analysis was stratified by sex and sector (commerce vs. industry) and included assessments of age, education level, physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and smoking status. Multinomial logistic regressions were performed to determine the factors associated with high IR scores. Results: Across all IR indicators, industry workers—particularly men—presented higher mean values and greater prevalence of high-risk scores compared to those in commerce. Women showed lower values overall but also reflected sector-based differences. In both sexes, non-physical activity, non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and smoking were consistently associated with higher IR risk. Males exhibited significantly higher odds of elevated TyG (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 2.41–2.78), while physical inactivity and poor diet emerged as the most powerful modifiable predictors across all scales (e.g., OR = 10.45 for TyG, OR = 12.33 for TyG-BMI). Industry sector was independently associated with higher odds of insulin resistance compared to commerce. Conclusions: Insulin resistance is more prevalent among industrial workers, especially men and those with unhealthy lifestyles. Occupational health strategies should target sector-specific risk profiles, emphasizing physical activity and dietary interventions. Full article

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a metabolic disorder linked to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Visceral fat is a better predictor of IR than BMI and waist circumference due to its metabolic and inflammatory impact. Methods such as DEXA and bioimpedance (BIA) estimate body fat, while scales such as METS-IR, SPISE, and TyG assess IR risk. This study analyzes the utility of visceral and body fat measured by BIA compared to other indicators. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 8590 workers in the Balearic Islands, analyzing anthropometric, clinical, and analytical variables. Body fat and visceral fat were measured by bioimpedance, and insulin resistance was assessed using METS-IR, SPISE, and TyG. ROC curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of BMI, WC, and body fat. Results: The areas under the curve (AUCs) were highest for high METS-IR, particularly in women (>0.97), indicating excellent performance. TyG showed the lowest AUC, especially in men. Body and visceral fat showed the highest AUC for all IR scales. Youden’s indices were highest for high METS-IR, with good predictive capacity, while TyG showed low values, limiting its utility in predicting insulin resistance. Conclusions: Measuring body and visceral fat by BIA is superior to BMI or WC for estimating IR risk. Full article

Background: Alcohol consumption is a major public health concern, influencing metabolic health and insulin resistance (IR). While moderate alcohol intake has been associated with potential metabolic benefits, excessive consumption is linked to IR and related disorders. This study examines the association between sociodemographic variables, health habits, and IR risk using validated metabolic indices. Methods: A dual-phase study was conducted, including a cross-sectional analysis of 139,634 Spanish workers and a retrospective longitudinal follow-up of 40,431 participants (2009–2019). Data on sociodemographic factors (age, sex and socioeconomic status) and health habits (smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and physical activity) were collected through standardized occupational health assessments. IR risk was assessed using the Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG), Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR), and Single-Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE-IR). Binary logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Results: Age, male sex, lower socioeconomic status, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet were significantly associated with higher IR risk across all indices (p < 0.001). Alcohol consumption exhibited a dose-dependent relationship with IR, with excessive intake significantly increasing the risk of IR. Longitudinal data revealed a worsening IR profile over time, particularly among older, low-income and physically inactive individuals. Conclusions: Sociodemographic factors and lifestyle habits strongly influence IR. Preventive strategies focused on reducing alcohol consumption, smoking cessation and promoting physical activity and dietary improvements are essential to mitigate the risk of IR, especially in vulnerable populations. Further longitudinal studies are needed to establish causal relationships and refine intervention strategies. Full article

Introduction: Metabolic age (MA) is the difference between an individual’s actual age and the age of their body based on physiological and biological factors. It is an indicator that reflects a person’s physical and biological state, regardless of chronological age. Insulin resistance (IR) is a health disorder in which tissues exhibit a reduced response to the circulating glucose uptake stimulated by insulin. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between MA, determined through bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the risk of IR, assessed using validated scales, in a cohort of Spanish workers. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 8590 Spanish workers to assess the association between MA and a set of sociodemographic variables, health habits, and IR risk scales such as the Triglyceride–Glucose Index (TyG Index), Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR), and Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE). Results: All analyzed variables were associated with MA values, with the strongest associations observed for IR risk scale values (OR 4.88 [95% CI 4.12–5.65] for METS-IR, 4.42 [95% CI 3.70–5.15] for SPISE, and 3.42 [95% CI 2.97–3.87] for the TyG Index) and physical activity. Conclusions: Metabolic age is influenced by sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, and social class; health habits such as smoking, physical activity, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet; and by IR risk scale values. Full article

Background: Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases include a large group of pathologies and constitute one of the most serious chronic health problems facing the 21st century, with high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Unhealthy diets influence the development of these pathologies. The Mediterranean diet can be an important part in the treatment of these diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a program that aims to increase adherence to the Mediterranean diet on the improvement of different cardiometabolic risk parameters. Methods: A prospective intervention study was carried out on 7034 Spanish workers. Prior to the intervention, 22 cardiometabolic risk scales were evaluated. Participants in this study were informed both orally and in writing of the characteristics and benefits of the Mediterranean diet and were given the website of the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare of Spain, which provides advice on nutrition. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was reinforced by sending a monthly SMS to their mobile phones. After six months of follow-up, the 22 risk scales were re-evaluated to assess changes. Means and standard deviations were calculated using Student’s t test to analyse quantitative variables. Prevalence was calculated using the Chi-square test when the variables were qualitative. Results: All the cardiometabolic risk scales studied decreased after implementing a program to improve and enhance adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The number of losses in the sample was very low, standing at 4.31%. Conclusions: The Mediterranean diet is effective in reducing all cardiovascular risk scales evaluated. The mean values and prevalence of high values of the different cardiometabolic risk scales analysed led to lower values after the implementation of the program to increase adherence to the Mediterranean diet. We observed a significant positive difference in metabolic age in both sexes. We have obtained a significant improvement in the insulin resistance index, especially in the SPISE-IR index, data that we have not found in previous publications. Easy access to the Internet and new information and communication technologies facilitate adherence to a diet and can reduce the number of losses. Full article

The Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE) is a novel surrogate marker for insulin sensitivity and was found comparable to the gold standard clamp test as well as for predicting the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in several populations. The present study aimed to assess for the first time, the validity of SPISE in predicting MetS among Arab adolescents. In this cross-sectional study, 951 Saudi adolescents aged 10–17 years were randomly recruited from different schools across Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Anthropometrics were measured and fasting blood samples were collected for the assessment of glucose, lipid profile, adipokines, C-reactive protein and 25 hydroxyvitamin (OH) D. MetS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program’s (NCEP) criteria with age-specific thresholds for adolescents. The SPISE as well as insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indices were calculated. The over-all prevalence of MetS was 8.6% (82 out of 951). SPISE index was significantly lower in MetS than non-MetS participants in both sexes (5.5 ± 2.5 vs. 9.4 ± 3.2, p < 0.001 in boys and 4.4 ± 1.4 vs. 8.6 ± 3.2, p < 0.001 in girls). The SPISE index showed a significant inverse correlation with resistin, leptin, and C-reactive protein, and a significant positive correlation with adiponectin and 25(OH) D. Areas under the curve (AUC) revealed fair and good accuracy for predicting MetS 84.1% and 90.3% in boys and girls, respectively. The sex-specific cut-off proposed was SPISE index ≤6.1 (sensitivity 72.2% and specificity 83.9%) for boys and ≤6.46 (sensitivity 96.3% and specificity 73.4%), for girls. This study suggests that the SPISE index is a simple and promising diagnostic marker of insulin sensitivity and MetS in Arab adolescents. Full article

The single point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) is a recently developed fasting index for insulin sensitivity based on triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index. SPISE has been validated in juveniles and adults; still, its role during childhood remains unclear. To evaluate the age- and sex-specific distribution of SPISE, its correlation with established fasting indexes and its application as a prognostic marker for future dysglycemia during childhood and adolescence were assessed. We performed linear modeling and correlation analyses on a cross-sectional cohort of 2107 children and adolescents (age 5 to 18.4 years) with overweight or obesity. Furthermore, survival analyses were conducted upon a longitudinal cohort of 591 children with overweight/obesity (1712 observations) with a maximum follow-up time of nearly 20 years, targeting prediabetes/dysglycemia as the end point. The SPISE index decreased significantly with age (−0.34 units per year, p < 0.001) among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Sex did not have an influence on SPISE. There was a modest correlation between SPISE and established fasting markers of insulin resistance (R = −0.49 for HOMA-IR, R = −0.55 for QUICKI-IR). SPISE is a better prognostic marker for future dysglycemia (hazard ratio (HR) 3.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60–7.51, p < 0.01) than HOMA-IR and QUICKI-IR (HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.24–4.81, p < 0.05). The SPISE index is a surrogate marker for insulin resistance predicting emerging dysglycemia in children with overweight or obesity, and could, therefore, be applied to pediatric cohorts that lack direct insulin assessment. Full article

One of the pathologic hallmarks of obesity is macrophage infiltration of adipose tissue that has been confirmed as source of multipotent adult stem cells. Stem cell growth factor-beta (SCGF-β) shows activity on granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells in combination with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Obesity-associated inflammation induces insulin resistance (IR), which is central to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or hepatic steatosis (HS). We searched for relationship between levels of SCGF-β and those of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β), interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40), interleukin-10 (IL-10), ferritin, GM-CSF and M-CSF and between SCGF-β concentrations and IR in obese patients with HS. Eighty obese patients were retrospectively studied. Serum cytokines levels were appreciated by magnetic bead-based multiplex immunoassays. IR was evaluated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), HOMA-derived β-cell function (HOMA-B%), quantitative insulin sensitivity check Index (QUICKI) and single point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE). HS and spleen volume were assessed by ultrasonography (US). SCGF-β and IL-6 levels predicted HOMA values (p = 0.032 and 0.041, respectively) only in males. In male patients, CRP and IL-6 levels (p = 0.007) predicted SCGF-β concentrations (p = 0.03 and 0.007, respectively), which in turn predicted HS at US, p = 0.037. SCGF-β levels were linked to IR and HS severity with the mediation role of CRP. IL-10 levels negatively predicted SCGF-β concentrations (p = 0.033). M-CSF levels predicted serum concentration of both TNF-β and IL-12p40 (p = 0.00), but did not predict serum IL-10 (p = 0.30). Prediction of HOMA values by SCGF-β levels, likely mediated by markers of inflammation, characterizes this study, shedding some light on mechanisms inducing/worsening IR of male patients with obesity-related NAFLD. Full article