PT33 - IMPACT OF MEAL FREQUENCY ON INSULIN RESISTANCE IN MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER ADULTS: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Linked sessions

Sep 15, 2025

12:30 PM2:00 PM

Poster Tour

Poster Tour VI: Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

Eelkje Limonard

PT33

IMPACT OF MEAL FREQUENCY ON INSULIN RESISTANCE IN MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER ADULTS: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

H.-E. Ryu^1,^2,*, J. H. Lee^1,², B. Park^1,², S.-J. Heo³, Y.-J. Kwon^1,²

¹Family Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yongin, ²Family Medicine, ³Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea, Republic Of

Rationale: This study investigates the association between meal frequency (MF) and insulin resistance (IR) in middle-aged and older adults. Given the role of insulin resistance in metabolic disorders, understanding how dietary habits like MF impact IR is crucial for developing preventive strategies in this population.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study using data from 4,570 adults aged 40-69 years from the Korean Genome and Epidemiologic Study. Participants were categorized into two groups based on their MF: less than three meals per day (MF <3) and three or more meals per day (MF ≥3). IR was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), with a threshold of ≥2.5. Multiple Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the relationship between MF and the incidence of IR, adjusting for various confounders.

Results: During a median follow-up of 9.75 years, individuals in the MF ≥3 group had a significantly lower incidence of IR compared to those in the MF <3 group (hazard ratio, 0.880; 95% confidence interval, 0.782–0.990). Subgroup analyses indicated that the association was significant only in men, individuals without diabetes, and those with a BMI <25.

Conclusion: Higher meal frequency is associated with a reduced risk of developing insulin resistance among middle-aged and older adults. This association is particularly evident in men, individuals without diabetes, and those without obesity, highlighting the importance of meal frequency in managing metabolic health.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared