Researchers say this is the first study to look at the
link between breast size and diabetes.
"The scientific
community has long cited the role of obesity as an
established risk factor for Type 2 diabetes," said study
lead Joel Ray, a physician at Toronto's St. Michael's
Hospital, in a release. "While an elevated body mass
index (BMI) and the distribution of fat around the
abdomen are strongly linked to the onset of Type 2
diabetes, little is known about the impact of breast
fat.
"Our study's significant findings suggest a fair
correlation between the two, independent of other
important factors such as BMI and waist size, and the
need for further targeted research," he said.
He said follow-up research is planned to see if
breast reduction surgery causes any change in insulin
resistance.
Doctors question whether large breasts carry
particular risks or whether it is another sign of being
overweight, a risk factor for the disease.
Dr. Thomas Ransom, an endocrinologist with Halifax's
Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre says bra cup
sizes are a marker of obesity.
"It's not so much the big breast size of itself, but
I think women who are overweight or obese should be
concerned. And this is just another marker," he told CBC
News. "It sort of correlates and it's really not a
surprise."
He said waist circumference is a stronger indicator
of Type 2 diabetes risk.