The reason why the rate of Type 2 diabetes is higher among men in several parts of the world apparently is that men develop the condition at a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than women --- that’s what a new research by Scottish scientists has underscored!

The study – which the clinical academics at Glasgow University carried out together with scientists from the Scottish Diabetes Research Network – found that men can set off the onset of Type 2 diabetes at a comparatively less weight gain than women.

A comprehensive analysis of data from 51,920 diabetic men and 43,137 diabetic women in Scotland showed that the mean BMI at diabetes diagnosis in men and women was 31.83 and 33.69 respectively, with the difference being most distinct at younger ages.

In the opinion of lead researcher Naveed Sattar – a professor at the Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences -, fat distribution is probably the main reason why men developed diabetes earlier than women --- men have been observed to carry more fat around their stomach and liver.

Noting that overweight – along with age, genetics, and ethnicity - was one of the foremost risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes, Prof Sattar said that the possible explanation as to why men face an increased Type 2 diabetes risk vis-à-vis women is that “men have to gain less weight than women to develop the condition”!