Elevated insulin levels in men: an 11-year follow-up study.

Background: Hyperinsulinaemia is linked to cardiovascular disease. This follow-up study examines factors influencing the fasting insulin level in men.

Methods: All men born in 1936 living in a certain area within the county of Copenhagen were invited for a health examination in 1976 and 1987; 425 men (73%) participated in both examinations. The following variables were analysed: fasting insulin levels, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, physical activity during leisure time, alcohol consumption and smoking.

Results: In both multivariate analyses at age 40 years and age 51 years, the BMI, the fasting glucose level and lack of physical activity showed a positive independent association with the insulin level. In follow-up analyses over 11 years, only BMI changes and fasting glucose changes were associated with changes in insulin level.

Conclusions: Our analyses suggest that BMI and changes in BMI over a period of time are major risk factors for an elevation of the serum insulin level, but that physical activity may have beneficial effects on the insulin level.