We examined the relationship between the 2-hour blood glucose level in a glucose tolerance test and anthropometric measurements, clinical tests, and lifestyle by a path analysis. The subjects were 412 new-onset IGT patients( IGT, n=205; IFG+IGT, n=207) and 203 healthy men in their fifties. The path analysis demonstrated that the consumption of sweets since youth, a high intake of saturated fatty acids, low daily activity, low muscle mass, and bad results of clinical tests( a high systolic blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol) directly increased the 2-hour blood glucose level in the glucose tolerance test. The desire for saltiness was indirectly correlated with the level of 2-hour blood glucose. These data suggest that modifying the dietary life( the palatability consumption of sweets and saltiness, and the high intake of animal fat) and sedentary lifestyle would be important for preventing IGT.