Relationship between fasting insulin and cardiovascular risk factors is already present in young men: the Verona Young Men Atherosclerosis Risk Factors Study

The associations between fasting plasma insulin concentration and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were examined in 979 18‐year‐old men participating in the Verona Young Men Atherosclerosis Risk Factors Study, a cross‐sectional population‐based study. Body mass index (BMI), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), plasma triglycerides and uric acid concentrations, and blood pressure values significantly increased, and the high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)–total cholesterol ratio decreased, across quartiles of fasting insulin. Total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations did not change significantly with the increase in fasting insulin levels. After adjustment for BMI, WHR, smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity, only plasma triglycerides significantly increased across insulin quartiles (F =7.1; P