Correlation between Aortic Stiffness and Abdominal Adiposity

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is a strong indicator of cardiovascular risk. Increased visceral fat confers greater risks of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationships between arterial stiffness and regional distribution of abdominal adiposity (i.e. subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue). METHODS: Thirty obese participants (M:F=17:13, mean age=53.6+/-12.0 years) underwent anthropometric measurements, laboratory procedures such as serum lipid levels and abdominal computed tomography scan. The aortofemoral pulse wave velocity was measured by foot to foot method using two continuous Doppler waves. RESULTS: Pulse wave velocity was positively associated with age, hip circumference (P<0.01), visceral to subcutaneous abdominal fat ratio and body weight (P<0.05), but independent of the total abdominal, visceral, and subcutanous fat. Although not positively associated, the mean pulse wave velocity tended to be higher in patients with history of hypertension or diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The site of abdominal fat distribution contribute to the prediction of arterial stiffness and visceral adiposity is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events.

The Effects of Vibration Baths on Abdominal Fat and Blood Lipid Profile in Obese Women

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is recognized as an important risk factor of metabolic diseases and atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vibration baths on abdominal fat and blood lipid profiles in obese women. METHODS: From Apr. to Jun 2000, the 32 obese women received vibration baths for 4 weeks (30 minutes/day, repeated 5 times per week). The people were divided randomly into two groups, the case (n=17) and the control (n=15) group. The case group received vibration baths (55 Hz) and the control group took baths only. Body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution, lipid profiles, and blood pressures were measured in all subjects immediately before and after 4 weeks of the study. The body fat distribution was assessed by CT scan by which both total abdominal and visceral fat areas were measured at the level of the umbilicus. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, 13 subjects remained in both groups, respectively, and the total abdominal and visceral fat area decreased significantly in the case group compared from those of the control group. There were no significant differences in body weight, body fat mass, serum lipid profiles, and blood pressures before and after the baths in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that vibration baths is effective in decreasing abdominal fat. But there were no significant weight change, the effect is insufficient in obesity treatment goal.