INS and Hypertension: From the Q1 to Q4 HSI groups, the following characteristics exhibited stepwise increases: ASM, BMI, WC, systolic and diastolic BP, daily protein intake, fasting serum glucose and insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, GGT, and serum creatinine and also higher rates of LSMI, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (Table 3).