A new study suggests that the length of a person's thighs could be an indicator of their risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark have developed an online self-examination tool called MEDWACS, which incorporates measurements such as thigh length, along with other health data, to help identify individuals who may be at risk of the condition.
The MEDWACS test was developed using 30 years of health data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Testing conducted on groups in the United States and South Korea indicated that the exam was effective in detecting individuals with both prediabetes and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. The test asks participants about seven different parameters and gathers basic information on sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). All the required information can be collected at home using common household items like a tape measure, bathroom scale, and a standard blood pressure monitor.
According to the researchers, one of the most unexpected indicators of diabetes risk identified was short thigh length. They explained that the femur's length is related to nutrition during early childhood, and poor nutrition in the first few years of life can slightly inhibit bone growth, which has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes later in life. Additionally, the thighs contain the body's largest muscle group, responsible for removing sugar from the blood. Shorter legs may indicate less muscle mass available to absorb sugar, thereby increasing diabetes risk.
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for nine in ten cases of diagnosed diabetes, affects more than four million people in the UK. An estimated additional 1.3 million people in the UK are living with the condition without a diagnosis. The slow onset of symptoms, such as fatigue, increased thirst, and frequent urination, can lead to the disease going unrecognized for years. Dr. Daniel Yoo, a researcher at the Technical University of Denmark, highlighted the importance of accessible screening, stating, 'Type 2 diabetes is easy to diagnose with a blood test, but if you don't suspect you have it you won't go to the doctor to have one done. That's why an online test at home can encourage people to see a doctor.'