Adult height and glucose tolerance: a re‐appraisal of the importance of body mass index

Aim To study both the association between adult height and glucose regulation based on findings from a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test, and the combined effect of height and adiposity on glucose values. Methods We conducted a population‐based, cross‐sectional study among apparently healthy people with high cardiovascular risk living in south‐western Finland. The study included 2659 participants aged 45–70 years, who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor but no previously diagnosed diabetes or manifested cardiovascular disease. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in all participants. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. The participants were divided into five height groups based on normal distribution. For further analysis of the association between height and glucose concentrations the participants were divided into four BMI groups (