Introduction: although insulin resistance is related to alterations in cardiac structure and function, and lipids and glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetics and obese individuals, it is unknown if these changes occur in young adults neither obese nor diabetic. Objective: to evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance, cardiac structure and function, and metabolism in nonobese, young adults. Materials and methods: this is a cross-sectional study, in young adults between 17 and 44 years of age, who were evaluated for cardiovascular risk. Results: 249 individuals were included with a mean age of 24.7 ± 6.7 years and a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 22.2 ± 2.9 kg/m2. The individuals with insulin resistance had greater mean BMI, Systolic Arterial Pressure (SAP) and unfavorable changes in lipids and glucose metabolism (p value < 0.05). In the 5 quintile of the Index of Insulin Resistance, HOMA (HOMA-IR) a greater mean posterior wall thickness during left ventricle systole, greater ejection fraction and endocardial fractional shortening (p value < 0.05) was found. Between 1 and 5 quintile of the HOMA-IR there were no differences in Dr. Jaime Gallo Especialista en Medicina Aplicada a la Actividad Fisica y al Deporte, Magister en Epidemiologia. Posgrado en Medicina Aplicada a la Actividad Fisica y al Deporte, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia. Cardiologia Clinica Medellin; Dr. Dagnovar Aristizabal Medico Cardiologo, Ecocardiografi sta, Especialista en Enfermedades Hipertensivas, Cardiologia Clinica Medellin; Dra. Angela Segura Estadistica. Magister en Epidemiologia. Candidata a Doctor en Epidemiologia. Facultad Nacional de Salud Publica, Universidad de Antioquia. Facultad de Medicina, CES; Monica Correa Enfermera. Cardiologia Clinica Medellin; Nora Zapata Enfermera. Facultad de Enfermeria, Universidad de Antioquia. Medellin Correspondencia: Dr. Jaime Gallo, calle 53 N° 46-38, consultorio 1509. Cardiologia Preventiva, Clinica Medellin, Medellin, Colombia. Telefono: 511 73 78, ext. 139. E-mail: jagallo2000@yahoo.com Recibido: 04/II/07 Aceptado: 07/V/08
