T2D-associated CpG sites were also associated (at α = 0.05/23 traits analyzed or p < 2.0 × 10–3) with age (HDAC4 & SYNM), sex (TXNIP, HDAC4, CPT1A, SYNM & ABCG1), categories of glucose tolerance (TXNIP, HDAC4, CPT1A & ABCG1), fasting insulin and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) scores (ABCG1), waist-circumference (CPT1A & ABCG1), BMI (ABCG1), C-reactive protein (CRP) (ABCG1 & HDAC4), triglyceride levels (CPT1A & ABCG1) and HDL levels (ABCG1) based on minimally adjusted regressions conducted among diabetes-free participants in ALSPAC (Additional file 1: Table S6). Here, HDAC4 is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.