In European Caucasian men, insulin sensitivity is negatively associated with intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) content, which may provide an early marker of diabetes risk. This study aimed to determine whether vastus lateralis IMCL content contributes to insulin sensitivity in 21 healthy Mäori men (mean age 28 years), all of whom had normal fasting blood glucose at baseline. According to multiple regression analysis incorporating the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) as the dependent variable, increased body fatness and decreased aerobic capacity (per kg lean body mass) were significant predictors of insulin sensitivity as estimated by HOMAIR, and elevated vastus lateralis IMCL concentrations failed to predict insulin sensitivity.
