The present study investigated the effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on insulin resistance by modulation of hepatic sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)‑peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor (PPAR)‑γ coactivator (PGC)‑1α/PPARα‑fibroblast growth factor (FGF)21, and glucose and lipid metabolism. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: A normal control group, a catch‑up growth group and an APS‑treated (APS-G) group. The latter two groups underwent food restriction for 4 weeks, prior to being provided with a high fat diet, which was available ad libitum. The APS‑G group was orally treated with APS for 8 weeks, whereas the other groups were administered saline. Body weight was measured and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted after 8 weeks. The plasma glucose and insulin levels obtained from the OGTT were assayed, and hepatic morphology was observed by light and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of PGC‑1α/PPARα, and the protein expression levels of SIRT1, FGF21 and nuclear factor‑κB were quantified in the liver and serum. APS treatment suppressed abnormal glycolipid metabolism and insulin resistance following 8 weeks of catch‑up growth by improving hepatic SIRT1‑PPARα‑FGF21 intracellular signaling and reducing chronic inflammation, and by partially attenuating hepatic steatosis. The suppressive effects of APS on liver acetylation and glycolipid metabolism‑associated molecules contributed to the observed suppression of insulin resistance. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of APS on insulin resistance requires further research in order to be elucidated. Rapid and long‑term treatment with APS may provide a novel, safe and effective therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes.