Detection of insulin resistance in overweight and obese individuals

Background and objectives: This study was designed mainly to determine fasting serum insulin level and other parameters related to obesity, since Type II diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent problem associated with obesity. In Kurdish region, no previous studies about insulin essay in overweight and obese individuals have been executed. Measuring insulin level in overweight and obese individuals can give information about the body's sensitivity to insulin. Methods: Fasting blood samples were derived from (60) overweight individuals (30 males + 30 females) and from (30) normal weight individuals and were analyzed for insulin level by using an immuno assay method (ELISA method) whereas fasting blood glucose, Triglyceride(TG), Total Cholesterol(TC). High Density Lipoprotein(HDL), were estimated spectrophotometrically. Results: From total (60) overweight individuals 76.6% have insulin resistance. From this percent about 52% of those individuals were with family history of diabetes and 24% were with family history of obesity. Conclusion: Three relatively simple metabolic markers can identify overweight and obese individuals who are sufficiently insulin resistant to be at increased risk for various adverse outcomes are (TG level, ratio of TG to HDL, and insulin level).