Clinical characteristics
Demographic data, medical history, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and vitamin supplements were recorded on standardized forms. Height and weight were measured while the participants were wearing light clothing without shoes. Waist and hip cir- cumferences were assessed with a tape measure at the midpoint between the lowest rib margin and the iliac crest and at the level of the major trochanter, respectively. Blood pressure was mea- sured while the subjects were sitting after they had rested for 5 min. Patients with a history of diabetes (n 20) or with a fasting plasma glucose concentration 7.0 mmol/L (n 9) were clas- sified as having diabetes. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was calculated in participants without diabetes from fasting concentrations of glucose and insulin by using the calculator from the Diabetes Trials Unit (Internet: http://www. dtu.ox.ac.uk; accessed 23 November 2006).