Independent and joint association of fat‐to‐muscle mass ratio and cardiorespiratory fitness with type 2 diabetes mellitus incidence: A prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
FMR and CRF were independent predictors of T2DM, with their combination identifying the highest-risk phenotype. Integrating FMR and CRF assessment enhances T2DM risk stratification and identifies high-risk individuals who may benefit from lifestyle interventions focusing on improving body composition and fitness.
Study context
- Population
- Adults without diabetes at baseline, UK Biobank; FMR by bioelectrical impedance, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) from submaximal cycle test
- Participants
- 60,837 adults
- Exposure
- Fat-to-muscle mass ratio (FMR) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), independently and jointly
- Outcome
- Incident T2D
- Follow-up
- median 14.49-year follow-up
Methodological detailsUK Biobank
- UK Biobank
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Incident T2D (2439 cases) · median 14.49 years
Hazard ratio (95% CI)
Higher FMR (per 1-SD), women
1.17(1.07–1.27)
Higher FMR (per 1-SD), men
1.32(1.23–1.42)
Higher CRF (per 1-MET), women
0.84(0.80–0.89)
Higher CRF (per 1-MET), men
0.82(0.79–0.86)
High FMR + low CRFhighest risk
1.81(1.59–2.07)
Each row per its own increment, as printed
- Incident T2D
- 2439 participants
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Joint association by age
- Association of high FMR + low CRF strongest in adults <60 years
Predictive performance (time-dependent ROC) · 3, 5 and 10 years
- Adding FMR and CRF to the Cambridge Diabetes Risk Score significantly improved predictive accuracy
Original publication
Independent and joint association of fat‐to‐muscle mass ratio and cardiorespiratory fitness with type 2 diabetes mellitus incidence: A prospective cohort study. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 16 October 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →