Central obesity and lipid profile in North Indian Males.

ABSTRACT

Obesity is a known risk factor for metabolic syndrome in adults. Metabolic syndrome includes a group of cardiovascular disease risk factors namely impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Central fat distribution, particularly intra-abdominal fat, is a greater risk factor than peripheral fat distribution. Anthropometric indices used to measure fat distribution have been shown to be associated with altered lipid profile. The objective of the present study was to compare the serum lipid profile levels in obese and non-obese males according to their Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR). A total of 60 males (aged 18-56 years, Mean age 31.00+11.81 years) were included in the study. WC and Hip Circumference (HC) were measured and WHR was calculated. An overnight fasting venous blood sample was drawn for lipid profile. Central obesity was defined as WC > 90 cm or WHR > 0.9. When compared according to WC and WHR, High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased in obese compared to non-obese, while no significant change in Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG) and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels was observed. Both WC and WHR were positively correlated with TG, TC and LDL-C and negatively with HDL-C. The correlations with HDL-C were statistically significant. Thus, it can be concluded from our study that obesity measured either as WC or WHR is associated with altered lipid profile in the form of low HDL-C. In obese individuals the accompanying hyperinsulinaemia due to insulin resistance may be responsible for changes in lipid and lipoprotein concentration.