Associations between adult height and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough short adult height is generally associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), there are large inconsistencies across studies. The aims of this study were to describe and quantify currently available evidence on the association between adult height and T2DM, to examine whether the reported associations differ by sex, and to examine the shapes of the height and T2DM associations.MethodsRelevant literature was identified using PubMed (1966–May 2018), EMBASE (1947–May 2018) and Google Scholar (May 2018). We identified cross-sectional and cohort studies with original publications on human subjects, which were included in a random-effects meta-analysis.ResultsFrom 15 971 identified sources, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review (N=401 562 individuals). From these 25 studies, 16 (9 cross-sectional studies and 7 cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis (n=261 496 individuals). The overall random-effects meta-analysis indicated an inverse association between adult height and T2DM (effect estimate=0.88, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.95). No sex differences in the associations between adult height and T2DM were found (effect estimate for men: 0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.99; effect estimate for women: 0.90; 95% CI 0.80 to 1.01; p value for sex interaction=0.80). Due to lack of data, results on the shape of the association between height and T2DM were inconclusive.ConclusionsShorter height is associated with an increased risk of T2DM and the association does not significantly differ by sex. The currently available data are insufficient to support conclusions regarding the shape of the association between height and T2DM.Trial registration number CRD42017062446.

Comparison of risk factors between people with type 2 diabetes and matched controls in Nairobi, Kenya

“…Each standard deviation increase in height was associated with three times lower odds of T2D. This finding is consistent with a recent meta-analysis of 16 studies, which included one study from SSA (Nigeria), that reported an inverse association between height and T2D risk in both men and women [51]. However, a recent Mendelian randomisation study using European ancestry data found that the association between adulthood height and T2D did not persist after adjustment for BMI [52].…”

Genetic association of anthropometric traits with type 2 diabetes in ethnically endogamous Sindhi families

“…To that end, the association of waist circumference and type 2 diabetes is now well-established [6]. Other anthropometric indexes such as height [7], body circumferences [8] and body fat distribution [9] have been associated with type 2 diabetes to varying extent across the global populations.…”

Adult height and diabetes control: is there an association?

“…3 Many global studies have suggested that short adult height is generally associated with an increased risk of development of T2DM. 4 Relationships have been described between BMI and glycaemic control, but no studies were found, to our knowledge, on the association between adult height and glycaemic control in PLWD. In Soweto, South Africa (SA), Khoza et al 5 assessed the effect of HIV on glycaemia and renal function in patients with T2DM; however, no mention was made of any relationship between glycaemic control and patient height.…”