The Effect of Parity on the Later Development of Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Abstract

To determine the effect of parity on the later development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance, we studied a population-based sample of 1186 women at least 40 years of age; those who had been given a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus before the age of 40 or who had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. On the basis of the World Health Organization's criteria, 714 had normal glucose tolerance, 326 had impaired glucose tolerance, and 146 had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).