Metformin for the management of insulin resistance in overweight women at midlife.

INTERVENTION: metformin hydrochloride, 850mg twice daily for 6 months, oral tablet CONDITION: insulin resistance PRIMARY OUTCOME: Evaluation of the efficacy of metformin in mitigating the development of insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes in its preclinical phase in obese (body mass index (BMI) >30 and < 40 kg/m2 and waist circumference >88cm) euglycaemic‐women in midlife. The primary outcome measurewill be change in IR determined by change in the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA‐IR). SECONDARY OUTCOME: change in lipid profile measure by blood analysis change in BMI measured by weight on electronic scales change in Haemaglobin A1c (HbA1c) measured by blood analysis change in adiponectin levels measured by blood analysis change in blood pressure measure by automatic sphymomanometer change in fasting glucose measure by blood analysis change in fasting insulin measured by blood analysis change in fructose measured by blood analysis change in lactic acid measured by blood analysis change in methylglyoxal measured by blood analysis change in n‐methylnicotinamide measured by blood analysis change in sex hormone binding globulin measured by blood analysis change in soluble receptor for Advanced Glycation End product (sRAGE) measured by blood analysis change in urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio measured by urine analysis change waist circumference by tape measure INCLUSION CRITERIA: Women:1. who are aged between 35‐65 years. 2. who have a BMI >30kg/m2 and <40kg/m2 and/or a waist circumference > 88cm. 3.who have provided informed consent.