Impact of Insulin Resistance on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and an Anthropometry-Based Predictive Nomogram for Insulin Resistance Among Adolescents in China

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the impact of insulin resistance (IR), as determined by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), on cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs), and develop an anthropometry-based predictive nomogram for IR among adolescents in China. DESIGN: Data were acquired from a cross-sectional study with a stratified cluster sampling method, conducted among adolescents in Northeast China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 882 adolescents (aged 12–16 years, 468 boys) were included. MEASUREMENTS: All participants underwent anthropometric and biochemical examinations. The thresholds of IR included the 90th percentile of the HOMA-IR for adolescents with a normal body mass index (BMI) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level within each sex group (Cutoff A), and the 75th percentile for all participants of the same sex (Cutoff B). RESULTS: The HOMA-IR was associated with CMRFs. IR, as defined by both cutoffs A and B, was significantly associated with most CMRFs, except decreased HDL-C levels. Excellent concordance (κ = 0.825) was found between these two criteria in diagnosing IR. However, IR using cutoff A, was more closely associated with cardiometabolic risk. The incidence of IR, as defined by cutoff A, was 18.93% and increased from 10.99% to 43.87% based on the different BMI categories. Further, an anthropometry-based predictive model for IR, incorporating sex, age, waist-to-hip ratio, weight and BMI, was developed and presented as a nomogram. CONCLUSIONS: IR among adolescents is strongly related to cardiometabolic risk. We developed an anthropometry-based predictive nomogram for IR among adolescents, which may facilitate health counselling and self-risk assessments.