Relationship between obesity, overweight and plasma lipids in saudis

ABSTRACT

Overweight and obesity occur at a high prevalence in Saudi population. This study was conducted with the aim to determine the plasma lipid levels in Saudi overweight and obese individuals and to compare them to the values obtained in the normal weight groups. A total of 2035 adult Saudis [males 927; temales 1108] were included in the study. Height and weight were recorded and Body Mass Index was calculated. Fasting blood glucose, Hb Aie, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured. The males and females were grouped into three groups [one] normal weight i.e. Body Mass Index < 25, [two] overweight ie. Body Mass Index 25-29.9 and [three] obese ie. Body Mass Index > 30. The cholesterol and triglyceride levels were compared among the groups. The resuits showed that cholesterol and triglyceride are significantly higher in the overweight and obese groups compared to the normal weight group. The correlation between Body Mass Index and lipids was positive and statistically significant. We conclude that since the prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in Saudis and since overweight and obesity are associated with hyperlipidemias, it is essential to initiate control and prevention programmes in an attempt to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity and hence morbidity associated with hyperlipi demie states