*2.2. Assessment of Anthropometric and Laboratory Parameters*

Body weight was measured by mechanic balance (Seca 721), height with bar-altimeter, waist and hip circumference using an anelastic meter. Waist circumference was measured halfway between the lower ribs and the iliac crest and hip circumference was measured at the largest point around the buttocks. All measures were taken with an accuracy to the nearest 0.1 kg and 0.1 cm, respectively, and with the patient in light clothing and no shoes. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m2). Blood pressure was measured in the sitting position by a standard protocol. Blood samples were obtained in the morning after an overnight fast and all biochemical parameters were analyzed in a central laboratory. Plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes—ALT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT)—and high sensitivity *C*-reactive protein were detected by standard methods. LDL-cholesterol was calculated according to the Friedewald equation for triglyceride values < 400 mg/dL. HbA1c was measured with high liquid performance chromatography standardized according to IFCC. Plasma insulin was detected by ELISA (DIAsource ImmunoAssays S.A., Nivelles, Belgium) on a Triturus Analyser (Diagnostics Grifols, S.A., Barcelona, Spain). Insulin resistance was evaluated by the HOMA method calculated as follows: fasting glucose (mg/dL) × fasting insulin (μU/mL)/405.
