Association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a Chinese general population

Abstract Background Although basal metabolic rate (BMR) is involved in glucose homeostasis, existing evidence regarding its association with insulin resistance (IR) remains inconsistent across populations. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between predicted BMR and the prevalence of IR in...

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Main Authors: Linghuan Wang, Tingting Lu, Peixin Wu, Kang Chen, Yiming Mu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Endocrine Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01976-3
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author Linghuan Wang
Tingting Lu
Peixin Wu
Kang Chen
Yiming Mu
author_facet Linghuan Wang
Tingting Lu
Peixin Wu
Kang Chen
Yiming Mu
author_sort Linghuan Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Although basal metabolic rate (BMR) is involved in glucose homeostasis, existing evidence regarding its association with insulin resistance (IR) remains inconsistent across populations. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between predicted BMR and the prevalence of IR in a large, community-based Chinese population. Methods A total of 36,115 participants aged ≥ 40 years were included from the REACTION study. Individuals with cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, malignancy, or who were using glucose-, lipid-, or blood pressure-lowering medications were excluded. BMR was estimated using the Singapore equation, and participants were categorized into quartiles (Q1–Q4) based on BMR distribution. Logistic regression models were employed to assess the association between BMR and IR, defined by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Covariates included sex, age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, glycemic and lipid profiles, liver and kidney function, and anthropometric indices. Sensitivity analyses using inverse probability weighting and restricted cubic spline regression were conducted to verify the robustness of the findings. Results This cross-sectional study demonstrated a positive association between higher predicted BMR quartiles and increased IR risk in the overall population (P < 0.05), with a stronger association observed in women (P < 0.05). A significant interaction between gender and BMR (P for interaction < 0.05) further supported a sex-specific pattern in the BMR-IR relationship. Stratified analyses revealed consistent positive association in various subgroups stratified by age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (P < 0.05). This association persisted across participants with different glucose tolerance statuses, particularly among those with normal glucose tolerance and impaired glucose regulation. The association also remained significant in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results. Conclusions Predicted BMR is independently and positively associated with IR in Chinese general population, particularly in woman. The relationship demonstrated a clear dose-response pattern and remained robust across various subgroups. Monitoring BMR dynamics and targeting modifiable metabolic factors may serve as preventive strategies against IR-relate diabetes mellitus. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to validate causality.
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spelling doaj-art-c0eaa5dec8934969adb3f51a04ffdf2a2025-08-20T04:01:35ZengBMCBMC Endocrine Disorders1472-68232025-07-0125111210.1186/s12902-025-01976-3Association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a Chinese general populationLinghuan Wang0Tingting Lu1Peixin Wu2Kang Chen3Yiming Mu4Medicine School of Nankai UniversityMedicine School of Nankai UniversityMedicine School of Nankai UniversityDepartment of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General HospitalMedicine School of Nankai UniversityAbstract Background Although basal metabolic rate (BMR) is involved in glucose homeostasis, existing evidence regarding its association with insulin resistance (IR) remains inconsistent across populations. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between predicted BMR and the prevalence of IR in a large, community-based Chinese population. Methods A total of 36,115 participants aged ≥ 40 years were included from the REACTION study. Individuals with cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, malignancy, or who were using glucose-, lipid-, or blood pressure-lowering medications were excluded. BMR was estimated using the Singapore equation, and participants were categorized into quartiles (Q1–Q4) based on BMR distribution. Logistic regression models were employed to assess the association between BMR and IR, defined by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Covariates included sex, age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, glycemic and lipid profiles, liver and kidney function, and anthropometric indices. Sensitivity analyses using inverse probability weighting and restricted cubic spline regression were conducted to verify the robustness of the findings. Results This cross-sectional study demonstrated a positive association between higher predicted BMR quartiles and increased IR risk in the overall population (P < 0.05), with a stronger association observed in women (P < 0.05). A significant interaction between gender and BMR (P for interaction < 0.05) further supported a sex-specific pattern in the BMR-IR relationship. Stratified analyses revealed consistent positive association in various subgroups stratified by age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (P < 0.05). This association persisted across participants with different glucose tolerance statuses, particularly among those with normal glucose tolerance and impaired glucose regulation. The association also remained significant in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results. Conclusions Predicted BMR is independently and positively associated with IR in Chinese general population, particularly in woman. The relationship demonstrated a clear dose-response pattern and remained robust across various subgroups. Monitoring BMR dynamics and targeting modifiable metabolic factors may serve as preventive strategies against IR-relate diabetes mellitus. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to validate causality.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01976-3Insulin resistanceBasal metabolic rateType 2 diabetes mellitusDiabetes mellitusChinese general populationMetabolic syndrome
spellingShingle Linghuan Wang
Tingting Lu
Peixin Wu
Kang Chen
Yiming Mu
Association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a Chinese general population
BMC Endocrine Disorders
Insulin resistance
Basal metabolic rate
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus
Chinese general population
Metabolic syndrome
title Association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a Chinese general population
title_full Association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a Chinese general population
title_fullStr Association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a Chinese general population
title_full_unstemmed Association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a Chinese general population
title_short Association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a Chinese general population
title_sort association of predicted basal metabolic rate and insulin resistance in a chinese general population
topic Insulin resistance
Basal metabolic rate
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus
Chinese general population
Metabolic syndrome
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-025-01976-3
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AT kangchen associationofpredictedbasalmetabolicrateandinsulinresistanceinachinesegeneralpopulation
AT yimingmu associationofpredictedbasalmetabolicrateandinsulinresistanceinachinesegeneralpopulation