The Association Between Body Fat Index and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has commonly been used to evaluate the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but BMI does not always represent body fat mass distribution. Body fat index (BFI), which includes the measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), has been suggested to be a better predictor for GDM than BMI. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the risk of GDM among pregnant females with BFI of >0.5 and 40.5. Methods: Maternal abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) thickness were measured by ultrasonography before 14 weeks of gestation, and BFI was calculated (VATxSAT/height). The study group was 160 females with BFI of >0.5, and the comparison group was 80 females with BFI of 40.5. All females received GDM screening during the first antenatal visit and at 24-28 weeks of gestation. The rate of GDM was compared between the two groups. The correlation between BFI and BMI and their diagnostic ability for GDM were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent associated factors for GDM. Results: Females with BFI of >0.5 were significantly older (p=0.033) and had higher body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001) and were more likely to be overweight or obese (p<0.001). BFI correlated well with BMI (correlation coefficient of 0.736, p<0.001). GDM was significantly more common in females with BFI of >0.5 (24.4% versus 11.3%, p=0.017). The diagnostic ability for GDM between BFI and BMI was similar (areas under receiver operating characteristic {ROC} curves of 0.641 and 0.646, respectively). Significant independent risk factors for GDM were a BFI of >0.5 and a BMI of & GE;25 kg/m2 (adjusted odds ratio {OR}, 3.8; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.5-9.2), age of & GE;30 years (adjusted OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2-6.4), and family history of diabetes mellitus (DM) (adjusted OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.9-8.3). Conclusion: Females with BFI of >0.5 were significantly more likely to have GDM. The diagnostic ability of BFI and BMI for GDM was comparable. Females with BFI of >0.5 and BMI of & GE;25 kg/m2 have an increased risk for GDM.