Fat–muscle balance and incident diabetes: evidence from Chinese and UK cohorts
Authors' conclusion
FFM/FM was a more consistent and informative indicator of diabetes risk than absolute lean mass indices.
Study context
- Population
- Participants of a Chinese health examination cohort and the UK Biobank
- Participants
- 2,252 vs 472,158
- Exposure
- Body composition indices and incident diabetes
- Chinesen = 2,252
- UK Biobank (UKB)n = 472,158
- Outcome
- Incident diabetes (chronic disease registry in Chinese cohort; hospital/primary care records plus medication data in UKB)
- Follow-up
- Median 4.3 (Chinese cohort) and 14.3 years (UKB)
Methodological detailstwo cohorts: Chinese health examination cohort and UK Biobank
- Two cohorts: Chinese health examination cohort and UK Biobank
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Incident diabetes by FFM/FM · median follow-up 4.3 and 14.3 years
| Group | Value | HR (fat-free mass (FFM)/fat mass (FM)) |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 5.1% | 0.45 [0.28-0.71], P = 0.001 |
| UKB | 4.8% | 0.50 [0.48-0.51], P < 0.001 |
Value
Chinese5.1%
UKB4.8%
HR (fat-free mass (FFM)/fat mass (FM))
Chinese0.45 [0.28-0.71], P = 0.001
UKB0.50 [0.48-0.51], P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI)
- Higher FMI and FFMI were associated with higher diabetes risk in both cohorts
ASMI
- ASMI was null in the Chinese cohort but was positively associated with diabetes in UKB
Original publication
Fat–muscle balance and incident diabetes: evidence from Chinese and UK cohorts. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 6 June 2026. doi:10.
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