[The effects of age on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in Japanese subjects with normal glucose tolerance].

The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes increases with age. However, controversial results have been reported in regard to which has a greater influence on the deterioration of glucose tolerance with age, namely impaired insulin sensitivity or impaired insulin secretion. The conflicting results may arise mainly from differences in the evaluation of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, and from differences in the physical composition and the ethnicity of the study subjects.