The triglyceride-glucose index as an adiposity marker and a predictor of fat loss induced by a low-calorie diet

Background This study aimed to investigate the putative role of the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) computed as ln[TG (mg/dl) x glucose (mg/dl)/2] and derived proxies as predictors of adiposity and weight loss changes after a low-calorie diet (LCD) intervention. Methods A total of 744 adult participants from the multicentre DIOGenes intervention study were prescribed a LCD (800 kcal/day) during 8 weeks. Body composition and fat content at baseline and after 8 weeks were estimated by DEXA/BIA. A multivariate analysis approach was used to estimate the difference in Delta Weight(1-2) (kg), Delta BMI1-2 (kg/m(2)) or Delta Fat(1-2) (%) between the basal value (point 1) and after 8 weeks following a LCD (point 2), respectively. The TyG index at baseline (TyG(1)), after following the LCD for 8 weeks (TyG(2)) or the TyG index differences between both time points (Delta TyG(1-2)) were analysed as predictors of weight and fat changes. Results TyG(1) was associated with Delta Weight(1-2) (kg) and Delta BMI1-2 (kg/m(2)), with beta = 0.812 (p = .017) and beta = 0.265 (p = .018), respectively. Also, TyG(2) values were inversely related to Delta Fat(1-2) (%), beta = -1.473 (p = .015). Moreover, Delta TyG(1-2) was associated with Delta Weight(1-2) (kg) and Delta Fat(1-2) (%), beta = 0.689 (p = .045) and beta = 1.764 (p = .002), respectively. Furthermore, an association between TyG(2) and resistance to fat loss was found (p = .015). Conclusion TyG(1) index is a good predictor of weight loss induced by LCD. Moreover, TyG(2) was closely related to resistance to fat loss, while Delta TyG(1-2) values were positively associated with body fat changes. Therefore, TyG index and derived estimations could be used as markers of individualized responses to energy restriction and a surrogate of body composition outcomes in clinical/epidemiological settings in obesity conditions.

Automated summary

The study found that the TyG index is a good predictor of weight loss induced by LCD, with higher TyG values being associated with greater fat loss. Additionally, differences in TyG index between time points were positively correlated with body fat changes.