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PubMed1994

Obesity, body fat distribution, and blood pressure in Nigerian and African-American men and women.

This article describes a study that assesses body fat distribution patterns in Nigerian and African-American males and females and determines the association between body fat distribution patterns and blood pressure in young adults of differing geographical and ethnic backgrounds. The study population was comprised of 275 African Americans (92 males and 183 females) and 282 Nigerians (219 males and 63 females). The mean ages for the African-American males and females were 18.7 and 18.9 years, respectively, compared with 21 and 19.2 years for the Nigerian males and females. African Americans were more likely to be obese and overweight compared with their Nigerian counterparts. However, there were no significant differences between the two ethnic groups within gender for body fat distribution patterns based on waist-to-hip ratio. Despite being leaner, the Nigerians had higher diastolic blood pressures than the African Americans. There were no significant associations observed between blood pressure and waist-to-hip ratio for either the Nigerian or the African-American males or females, and body mass index was associated consistently with blood pressure only among the African Americans. These findings suggest that body mass index, a general indicator of obesity, is a better correlate of blood pressure than the waist-to-hip ratio among African Americans.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

Relationship of obesity and body fat distribution with ceruloplasmin serum levels.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of obesity and body fat distribution on serum levels of ceruloplasmin, a risk factor for myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Fasting concentrations of ceruloplasmin, insulin, glucose, lipid pattern (cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), blood pressure levels, and body fat distribution were determined in a population of non-diabetic subjects. SETTING: University Hospital Outpatient Clinic. SUBJECTS: 87 consecutive individuals (35 men and 52 women), represented by 27 normal weight (BMI: < 25.0), 20 overweight (BMI: > 25.0-30.0) and 40 obese (BMI: > 30.0) subjects. MEASUREMENTS: Serum insulin levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay, plasma glucose and lipid concentrations by enzymatic assays, and serum ceruloplasmin by nephelometry. Intra-abdominal thickness was measured by ultrasound technique. RESULTS: Ceruloplasmin levels were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in obese (36.5 +/- 8.60 mg/dl) than in overweight (30.4 +/- 6.17 mg/dl) and normal weight (29.3 +/- 8.06 mg/dl) subjects. Of several variables associated with ceruloplasmin (BMI, waist circumference, WHR, intra-abdominal thickness, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, insulin), only triglycerides (in both men and women) and ultrasound intra-abdominal thickness (in women) maintained a significantly independent relationship with this protein in multiple stepwise analysis. Moreover, both triglycerides and total cholesterol maintained an independent correlation with ceruloplasmin when the data from both men and women were pooled together. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that patients with central obesity have characteristically higher ceruloplasmin serum levels, and that ceruloplasmin concentrations are strongly correlated with serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels (in both sexes) and visceral fat accumulation (in women), independently of the other associated cardiovascular risk factors (insulin and blood pressure levels). Since ceruloplasmin has been shown to increase in response to the atherosclerotic inflammatory process, and to promote coronarosclerosis, the determination of serum ceruloplasmin in subjects with central obesity might be a useful tool to identify patients with the highest risk for myocardial infarction.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Genetic and environmental correlations between obesity and body fat distribution in adult male twins.

Genetic and environmental correlations between measures of obesity [body mass index (BMI)] and body fat distribution [waist/hip ratio (WHR) and subscapular/triceps ratio (SSTR)] were examined in 133 monozygotic and 129 dizygotic pairs of elderly white male twins, age 59 to 70 years, participating in the third cardiovascular examination of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Twin Study. The BMI, WHR, and SSTR fat measures were significantly correlated in these twins, with BMI more closely related to WHR (r = 0.52) than to SSTR (r = 0.18), and the WHR-SSTR association intermediate (r = 0.27). Multivariate genetic analyses of the three indexes using the LISREL modeling approach indicated a significant heritable component for each fatness variable, h2 = 0.66, 0.46, and 0.25 for BMI, WHR, and SSTR, respectively, and a significant correlation between genetic influences on BMI and WHR (genetic r = 0.51). The common genetic component accounted for 54% of the observed BMI-WHR correlation, suggesting that overall obesity and abdominal adiposity distribution are mediated to some extent by similar genetic influences. The genetic correlations between SSTR and BMI and between SSTR and WHR were not significantly different from zero, suggesting that genetic influences on skinfold distribution are independent of those on abdominal body fat and overall obesity. The genetic findings support the hypothesis that the WHR and SSTR indexes do not assess the same dimensions of fat patterning.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Body fat distribution has weight-independent effects on clinical, hormonal, and metabolic features of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

This study was performed to investigate whether different patterns of body fat distribution may have distinct effects on the clinical, hormonal, and metabolic features of women with clinical hyperandrogenism such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ninety-seven consecutive women with PCOS were included in the study after assessment of gynecological and obesity history and careful clinical examination. Women were divided into three tertile groups based on the waist to hip ratio (WHR). Those with peripheral body fat distribution (P-BFD) had a WHR of less than 0.80, those with intermediate body fat distribution (I-BFD) had a WHR of 0.81 to 0.90, and those with abdominal body fat distribution (A-BFD) had a WHR exceeding 0.90. Baseline blood and urine samples were obtained for several hormone and lipid determinations, and the response of glucose, insulin, and C-peptide to a glucose oral challenge (75 g) was investigated. In the PCOS group, WHR values were higher than those used to define P-BFD and A-BFD in the normal female population. As WHR values increased, a significantly greater prevalence of obesity and acanthosis nigricans and a lower prevalence of acne was present. No significant differences were present in any of the other clinical features between the three groups. Ovarian morphology and volumes were similar in all groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

Association of serum ferritin and indices of body fat distribution and obesity in Mexican American men--the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Few data have been published on the association of indices of body fat distribution and serum ferritin, an indicator of body iron stores and putative risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity, in representative samples of total populations or in Hispanic Americans. OBJECTIVE: To describe the distributions of serum ferritin concentration and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in Mexican American men and to assess their association. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of a large national sample, the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PARTICIPANTS: Mexican American men aged 20-49 y. MEASUREMENTS: Body circumferences, skinfold thickness, height, weight, and serum ferritin and C-reactive protein concentrations. RESULTS: Mean serum ferritin increased between ages 20 and 29 but not between 30 and 49. WHR increased with age between ages 20 and 49. WHR showed significant positive associations with log serum ferritin concentration independent of age and body mass index (BMI). The association was strongest at age 20-29 y among those with BMI below the median. Associations with other indices of body fat distribution and overall obesity are described. CONCLUSION: Serum ferritin concentration is associated with WHR and other indices of body fat distribution and obesity. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and significance of these findings.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1995

The effects of weight reduction to ideal body weight on body fat distribution.

Obesity is a well-known health risk factor. Several studies have demonstrated that upper-body fat distribution plays a major role in the association between increased adiposity and metabolic disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate changes in intraabdominal and subcutaneous fat areas in obese subjects undergoing a weight reduction to their ideal body weight (IBW), as defined by a body mass index (BMI) no greater than 21 or body fat less than 30%, and compare the fat distribution at IBW with that of never-obese control subjects. We studied 33 obese women (151% +/- 1% of IBW; BMI, 31.6 +/- 2.5 [mean +/- SE]) before and after weight loss and a control group of 16 never-obese women (101.0% +/- 1.0% of IBW; BMI, 21.2 +/- 1.1). Eighteen obese women successfully achieved and stabilized at IBW for at least 2 months. Nonsuccessful obese subjects were significantly younger than reduced-weight subjects, but other physical characteristics were similar. In obese, reduced-obese, and never-obese groups, weight was 85 +/- 2.0, 62 +/- 1, and 58 +/- 1 kg; percent body fat was 41% +/- 1%, 24% +/- 2%, and 23% +/- 1%; intraabdominal fat area was 82 +/- 5, 28 +/- 3, and 25 +/- 4 cm2; waist subcutaneous fat area was 275 +/- 15, 120 +/- 9, and 81 +/- 7 cm2; hip subcutaneous fat area was 416 +/- 17, 204 +/- 10, and 195 +/- 7 cm2; and waist to hip ratio (WHR) was 0.84 +/- 0.02, 0.77 +/- 0.01, and 0.73 +/- 0.01, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

Body fat distribution and energy metabolism in obese men and women.

OBJECTIVE: Upper body obesity seems to be associated with a better prognosis for weight loss than does lower body obesity. However, the impact of body fat distribution on energy metabolism is not clear. SUBJECTS: One hundred fifteen non-diabetic obese Caucasians (64 males and 51 females) and 108 Caucasian lean controls (82 males and 26 females) were studied. METHODS: Body composition was assessed by hydrodensitometry and body fat distribution was estimated by the waist-to-thigh circumference ratio (W/T). Values of 24-hour energy expenditure (24h-EE), basal metabolic rate (BMR), sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured in a respiration chamber. RESULTS: BMR, adjusted for differences in fat-free mass, fat mass, age and sex, correlated with W/T in obese males (r = 0.40; p < 0.01), but not in obese females. Obese male subjects with upper body obesity had BMR significantly higher than those with lower body obesity (2189 +/- 268 vs 1974 +/- 141 kcal/day; p < 0.01), independently of differences in fat-free mass, fat mass and age. No correlations were found between W/T and adjusted 24h-EE, SMR or RQ in all examined groups. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that in obese males, upper body obesity is associated with increased metabolic rate, possibly related to higher levels of lipid turnover in visceral fat.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1999

Monogenic disorders of obesity and body fat distribution.

Recently, great progress has been made towards understanding the molecular basis of body fat regulation. Identification of mutations in several genes in spontaneous monogenic animal models of obesity and development of transgenic models have indicated the physiological roles of many genes in the regulation of body fat distribution. In humans, mutations in leptin, leptin receptor, prohormone convertase 1 (PC1), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), melanocortin 4-receptor (MC4-R), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma2 genes have been described in patients with severe obesity. Most of these obesity disorders exhibit a distinct phenotype with varying degrees of hypothalamic and pituitary dysfunction and a recessive inheritance, whereas MC4-R mutation has a nonsyndromic phenotype with dominant inheritance. These mutations suggest the critical role of central signaling systems composed of leptin/leptin receptor and alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone/MC4-R in human energy homeostasis. Although the genetic basis of monogenic disorders of body fat distribution, such as congenital generalized lipodystrophy and familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan variety, is still unknown, the genes for these have recently been localized to chromosomes 9q34 and 1q21-22, respectively. The advances in our knowledge of the phenotypic manifestations and underlying molecular mechanisms of genetic body fat disorders may lead to better treatment and prevention of obesity and other disorders of adipose tissue in the future.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1991

Obesity and body fat distribution and breast cancer prognosis.

This study addresses the effect of obesity and body fat distribution on axillary lymph node involvement, tumor size, and estrogen receptor (ER) level in breast cancer patients. Anthropometric measurements were prospectively obtained on 248 consecutively and newly diagnosed women with invasive breast cancer. The anthropometric measurements evaluated were abdomen, thigh, subscapular, and midaxillary skinfolds; weight; and height. Weight and Quetelet Index (kg/m2) were significantly (P = 0.001) associated with lymph node involvement in postmenopausal patients. The abdomen:thigh skinfold ratio was significantly higher in premenopausal patients (P = 0.004) and postmenopausal (P = 0.03) without axillary node involvement compared with women with 4+ axillary node involvement. The abdomen:thigh skinfold was higher (P = 0.05) in women with smaller breast cancers (less than 2.0 cm) and higher ER levels. Weight and Quetelet Index did not affect tumor size or ER level. This study demonstrated that obese postmenopausal women who developed breast cancer tend to have more axillary node involvement than their leaner counterparts. Generalized obesity did not affect tumor size or ER level. Premenopausal and postmenopausal women with upper body fat distribution appear to be a subset of women who have a more favorable prognosis as measured by less lymph node involvement, smaller tumors, and higher levels of ER in their tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Association of body fat distribution with plasma lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins AI and B in postmenopausal women.

Associations between the distribution of body fat, measured by the waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR), and plasma lipid fractions were examined in 84 postmenopausal women. WHR was correlated r = 0.39 with body mass index (BMI). After adjustment for BMI and other covariates, WHR was positively and significantly associated with concentrations of triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. WHR was negatively and significantly associated with concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI. These results indicate that in postmenopausal women abdominal fat preponderance is associated with an atherogenic plasma lipid profile, independent of its association with BMI.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Association of polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha gene with body fat distribution.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor (ER) alpha gene are associated with body fat distribution. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, epidemiological study of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, a T --> C (PvuII) and an A --> G (XbaI), in the first intron of the ERalpha gene. SUBJECTS: A total of 2238 community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese population (age: 40-79 y). MEASUREMENTS: The ERalpha genotypes (by automated fluorescent allele-specific DNA primer assay system), anthropometric variables, fat mass (FM) and percentage FM (%FM) (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). RESULTS: FM and waist were inversely associated with age (r=-0.630 and -0.504, respectively) in women with the GG genotype. On the other hand, waist circumference of the AA genotype was positively correlated with age (r=0.231). Thus, for middle-aged women (40-59 y) with the AG or GG genotype body mass index (BMI), %FM, FM, waist, hip and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were larger than those with the AA genotype. In particular, FM and waist were greater by 20% and 9%, respectively, for the GG genotype, compared to the AA genotype. Alternatively, FM and waist were smaller by 18% and 6%, respectively, in older women with the GG genotype, compared to the AA genotype. No effect was found among the A --> G polymorphisms for men. For both genders, no difference was found in any variables among the TT, TC and CC genotypes with the exception of BMI of older men (60-79 y). CONCLUSION: No association was found between the ERalpha gene polymorphisms and body fat distribution in men. For women, the A --> G polymorphism, in particular the GG genotype, may contribute to the development of upper-body obesity in middle-aged individuals, but may serve to decrease the whole-body and abdominal fat tissue of older individuals.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1994

Sexual dimorphism of age-related changes in whole-body fat distribution in the obese.

We performed a cross-sectional study using whole-body computerized tomographic (CT) scans in order to clarify age-related changes in whole-body fat distribution in both genders. The subjects were 66 men and 96 women, whose body mass index (BMI) was over 25 kg/m2. CT scans were performed at seven levels (head, fore-arms, upper arms, chest, abdomen, thighs and calves), and the fat volumes of the segments were calculated from the cross-sectional areas of the fat tissues. After calibrating to the total fat volumes, the relationship between age and the relative segmental fat volumes was analysed. In both genders, the relative intra-abdominal visceral fat volume increased and that of the legs decreased with age. The relative abdominal subcutaneous fat volume decreased with age only in male subjects. The increase in the relative visceral fat volume with age was about 2.6 times larger in males than in pre-menopausal females, while post-menopausal females showed the same increase as male subjects. These data suggest that there is a definite gender difference in the age-related changes in whole-body fat distribution, especially in the abdominal fat tissues. In addition, the accumulation of visceral fat is markedly accelerated by menopause in women.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

Relationship between body fat distribution and bone mineral density in premenopausal Japanese women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between body fat distribution and bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Subjects were 282 premenopausal women (mean age +/- standard deviation [SD], 38.8 +/- 8.5 years; range, 20-51 years) with regular menstrual cycles. Baseline characteristics included age, age at menarche, height, weight, body mass index ([BMI], weight/height(2)), and parity. Anthropometric characteristics including the ratio of trunk fat mass to leg fat mass (trunk-leg fat ratio), percentage of body fat, and total body lean mass were measured by whole-body scanning with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Lumbar spine BMD (L2-4) was also measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Correlations of BMD to baseline and anthropometric characteristics were investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Although height, trunk-leg fat ratio, and total body lean mass were positively correlated with lumbar spine BMD (r =.18, P <.01; r =.17, P <.01; and r =.25, P <.001; respectively), age at menarche was inversely correlated with BMD (r = -.19, P <.01). On multivariable analysis, trunk-leg fat ratio, height, age at menarche, and total body lean mass were still independently correlated with lumbar spine BMD (P <. 05). However, total fat mass was not correlated with BMD. CONCLUSION: Upper body fat distribution rather than overall adiposity is associated with lumbar spine BMD in premenopausal women. Humoral factors associated with body fat mass appear to influence lumbar spine BMD.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of regional body fat distribution: comparison between W/H ratio and computed tomography in obese women.

Measurements of regional body fat distribution as determined by waist-to-hip ratio and visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio were compared in 63 obese women. Subjects were divided into three CT-evaluated tertiles on the basis of visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (group I, 0.05-0.231; group II, 0.232-0.344; group III, 0.345-0.781). The three groups showed no appreciable differences in body weight, body mass index or total abdominal adipose tissue. Waist-to-hip ratio values were significantly lower in group I than in groups II and III. There was no statistically significant difference between groups II and III. Visceral abdominal adipose tissue was significantly and progressively higher in the three groups. Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue was significantly lower in group III than in group I. All metabolic variables and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher when visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio cut-off values were increased. Waist-to-hip ratio was significantly correlated with total adipose tissue, body mass index, visceral abdominal adipose tissue and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue. Visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio was correlated with visceral abdominal adipose tissue (r = 0.84, P < 0.01) and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (r = -0.28, P < 0.05). There was no correlation between visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio and body mass index or total abdominal adipose tissue. Visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose correlated more closely with metabolic variables than did waist-to-hip ratio. Partial correlations between waist-to-hip ratio and visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio and metabolic variables, adjusted for body mass index, showed statistically significant relationships for visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio, but not for waist-to-hip ratio. Visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio correlated with waist-to-hip ratio in the study population as a whole, but only in group I did the correlation between visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio and waist-to-hip ratio prove statistically significant. The present study demonstrates that visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio is a better index of body fat distribution than waist-to-hip ratio.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2005

PPARgamma: a critical determinant of body fat distribution in humans and mice.

Evidence emerging from studies of humans and mice has indicated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) to be not only a key factor for adipogenesis but also a critical determinant of body fat distribution. Whereas genetically reduced PPARgamma activity in adipose tissue leads to reduction of total fat mass in humans and in mice, mutations in the ligand-binding domain of PPARgamma cause abnormal body fat distributions. It is less clear from mutation analysis how PPARgamma is involved in metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance and its cardiovascular complications. Nevertheless, similarities and differences in the phenotypes associated with PPARgamma mutations in humans and in mouse models provide opportunities to dissect relationships between body fat distribution and its metabolic complications.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Relationship between body fat distribution and blood lipids in obese adolescents.

Associations between body fat distribution, measured by waist/hip circumference ratio (WHR), and plasma lipids and lipoproteins were examined in 74 grossly obese adolescents. WHR was positively correlated in adolescent girls with total triglycerides (r = 0.44, P less than 0.01), total cholesterol (r = 0.49, P less than 0.001), and LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.59, P less than 0.001). In adolescent boys no correlation was found for total cholesterol but there were correlations for triglycerides (r = 0.41, P less than 0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.49, P less than 0.001), HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.66, P less than 0.001) and the ratio cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.62, P less than 0.001). Waist/hip ratio was not correlated with BMI or percentual overweight in obese girls, but a significant association was found in obese boys for both (r = -0.46, P less than 0.03 and r = 0.53, P less than 0.02). These results indicate that in obese girls a prevalence of abdominal fat distribution is correlated with increased triglycerides, serum cholesterol and LDL-C. In male adolescents total cholesterol is only slightly influenced but HDL-C concentrations are lower and LDL-C and the ratio CHOL/HDL-C higher.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1999

Leptin concentrations and their relation to body fat distribution and weight loss--a prospective study in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. DPS-study group.

Leptin is proposed to be involved in regulation of body weight. Only little information is available on leptin concentrations in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of body fat distribution and weight reduction on serum leptin levels in a prospective setting in IGT subjects. Sixty-nine individuals with impaired glucose tolerance aged 45-64 years participated in this prospective study. Serum leptin levels were about 300% higher among females than among males, despite an only 30% higher fat percentage in females. A close association between degree of obesity and leptin concentrations was observed in both sexes. The correlation coefficient between fat mass and leptin concentration ranged between r = 0.467- 0.817 (p< 0.001 - 0.01). A close correlation between degree of weight loss and decrease in leptin concentrations was observed in both sexes. A 10.1 kg (9.6%) decrease in body weight among females was associated with a 32% decrease in leptin concentrations. The corresponding value among males for an 8.0 kg (8.6%) decrease was 29%. Changes in leptin concentrations were best explained by changes in fat mass among both males and females. Body fat distribution was also of importance, especially among females. Gender associated differences in leptin concentrations appear to be largely influenced by gender differences in body fat distribution.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

Waist circumference and abdominal sagittal diameter as surrogates of body fat distribution in the elderly: their relation with cardiovascular risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between supine sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) and other indicators of body fat distribution with cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors in the elderly. SUBJECTS: One-hundred and forty-six women aged from 67 to 78 y with a body mass index (BMI) ranging from 18.7 to 50.6 kg/m2 and 83 men aged between 67 and 78 y with BMI ranging from 19.8 to 37.1 kg/m2. MEASUREMENT: Body fat distribution was assessed using anthropometric indicators: waist circumference, SAD, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio and SAD-to-thigh ratio. RESULTS: In women, there was a negative correlation between HDL-cholesterol and body weight, BMI, waist, SAD, WHR, waist-to-height ratio and SAD-to-thigh ratio. A significant association was found between triglycerides, basal glucose, 2 h glucose during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and anthropometric variables. In men a negative correlation was found between HDL-cholesterol and all the anthropometric variables. A significant association was found between triglycerides, DBP and body weight, BMI, waist, SAD and waist-to-height ratio. In women, after adjusting for age and BMI, a significant correlation was observed between waist and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and basal glucose. This was also seen with SAD and SAD-to-thigh ratio and triglycerides, basal and 2 h glucose. In men, after adjusting for age and BMI a significant correlation was found between SAD and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. When adjustments were made for age and waist, the correlations between BMI and metabolic variables as well between BMI and SBP and DBP were no longer significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that indicators of body fat distribution are associated with CVD risk factors in the elderly independently of BMI. Our data also show that waist and SAD are the anthropometric indicators of fat distribution which are most closely related to CVD risk factors in old age.

Abdomen↗