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Excess insulin secretion and hyperinsulinaemia contribute to the progression of type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanisms leading to insulin hypersecretion remain largely unknown. Based on our preliminary data, we examined whether triglycerides and very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) are independently associated with insulin secretion, and whether ethnicity/race modulates these associations. Fasting triglycerides and VLDL were measured in a multiethnic cohort of 630 non‐diabetic adolescents. Insulin secretion, β‐cell function parameters, insulin sensitivity and insulin clearance were estimated through a 3‐h oral glucose tolerance test. Metabolic assessments were repeated after 2 years in 239 subjects. Triglycerides and triglyceride‐rich VLDL (large and medium size fractions) were associated with both basal and glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion, after adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI z‐score, plasma glucose, and insulin sensitivity. Ethnicity per se had an impact on lipid profile and β‐cell function, but did not modulate the effect of triglycerides/VLDL on insulin secretion. At follow‐up, changes in triglyceride levels were proportional to changes in insulin secretion. These findings support the hypothesis that hypertriglyceridaemia is an important stimulus for β‐cell insulin release in young people under both fasting and fed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]