Triglyceride–glucose index: a potent predictor of metabolic risk factors and eating behavior patterns among obese individuals

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The strong potential of triglyceride to glucose index (TyG) in prediction of metabolic abnormalities is well identified in numerous disease including diabetes, metabolic syndrome and kidney disorders. However, no study is available to assess its validity and association with metabolic phenotype among obese individuals. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the TyG index, its validity and association with metabolic parameters among obese individuals. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In the current cross-sectional study, 300 obese individuals were enrolled. Their demographic, anthropometric measurements were done and laboratory parameters including serum lipids, glycemic markers and insulin resistance were evaluated. Blood pressure was also measured with standard methods. The TyG index was calculated as the ln (fasting triglyceride level [mg/dL] × fasting glucose level [mg/dL]/2). Eating pattern was measured with three factor eating behavior questionnaire (TFEQ). Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to assess the TyG validity. RESULTS: Subjects at the higher TyG tertile had higher waist o hip ratio (WHR) and eating disorder compared with lowest tertiles. Also, those at the highest tertiles had significantly higher total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and fasting blood sugar (FBS), and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). According to the ROC curve analysis for various metabolic parameters, TyG demonstrated the highest area under curve (AUC) value of 0.838 compared with other metabolic parameters in identification of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The current study provides valuable insights into the relationship between TyG index, metabolic parameters, and eating behaviors among obese individuals.