Ma Y, Xiong J, Zhang X, et al. - In the present study, the researchers sought to identify the specific free fatty acids (FFAs) that best predict the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in obese people, and evaluate their potential application value. There were three groups of participants: the normal weight group (n = 20), the obese group (n = 10) and the type 2 diabetes mellitus group (n = 10). Fourteen FFAs (C8:0/10:0/14:0/16:1/18:1/20:2/ 20:3 /20:4/ 20:5/ 22:6/7:0/9:0/11:0 and C13:0) were significantly increased in the obese group and nine FFAs (C14:0, C18:1, C20:1, C 18:2, C20:2, C20:3, C18:3, C20:5 and C22:6) were significantly increased in the type 2 diabetes mellitus group compared with the normal-weight group. Findings suggested that C22:6 may be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus and may be particularly susceptible to type 2 diabetes mellitus.