The triglyceride-glucose index as an adiposity marker and a predictor of fat loss induced by a low-calorie diet

F. Vidal-Ostos, O. Ramos-Lopez*, E.E. Blaak, A. Astrup, J.A. Martinez

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background This study aimed to investigate the putative role of the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) computed as ln[TG (mg/dl) x glucose (mg/dl)/2] and derived proxies as predictors of adiposity and weight loss changes after a low-calorie diet (LCD) intervention. Methods A total of 744 adult participants from the multicentre DIOGenes intervention study were prescribed a LCD (800 kcal/day) during 8 weeks. Body composition and fat content at baseline and after 8 weeks were estimated by DEXA/BIA. A multivariate analysis approach was used to estimate the difference in Delta Weight(1-2) (kg), Delta BMI1-2 (kg/m(2)) or Delta Fat(1-2) (%) between the basal value (point 1) and after 8 weeks following a LCD (point 2), respectively. The TyG index at baseline (TyG(1)), after following the LCD for 8 weeks (TyG(2)) or the TyG index differences between both time points (Delta TyG(1-2)) were analysed as predictors of weight and fat changes. Results TyG(1) was associated with Delta Weight(1-2) (kg) and Delta BMI1-2 (kg/m(2)), with beta = 0.812 (p = .017) and beta = 0.265 (p = .018), respectively. Also, TyG(2) values were inversely related to Delta Fat(1-2) (%), beta = -1.473 (p = .015). Moreover, Delta TyG(1-2) was associated with Delta Weight(1-2) (kg) and Delta Fat(1-2) (%), beta = 0.689 (p = .045) and beta = 1.764 (p = .002), respectively. Furthermore, an association between TyG(2) and resistance to fat loss was found (p = .015). Conclusion TyG(1) index is a good predictor of weight loss induced by LCD. Moreover, TyG(2) was closely related to resistance to fat loss, while Delta TyG(1-2) values were positively associated with body fat changes. Therefore, TyG index and derived estimations could be used as markers of individualized responses to energy restriction and a surrogate of body composition outcomes in clinical/epidemiological settings in obesity conditions.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere13674
Number of pages12
JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Investigation
Volume52
Issue number1
Early online date5 Sept 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Keywords

  • fat loss
  • precision medicine
  • statistical predictors
  • TyG index
  • weight loss
  • FASTING PLASMA-GLUCOSE
  • WEIGHT-LOSS
  • TYG INDEX
  • OBESITY
  • RISK
  • PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
  • ASSOCIATION
  • BURDEN
  • HEALTH
  • ADULTS

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