Correlation between risk of atherosclerosis and anthropometric parameters in premenopausal women

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease are closely related to obesity. Recently incidence of such diseases are remarkably increased. Many researches have been done to find out to implement prevention and treatment of such diseases. Abdominal obesity is one of the most important contributing factors of metabolic complications. This study was done to compare indicators of obesity with abdominal fat amount which was measured by anthropometric parameters and computed tomogram, and to find correlation between the risk factors of atherosclerosis and the indicators of obesity. METHODS: Fifty nine healthy premenopausal women without diabetes, coronary heart disease or history of other chronic disease were enrolled. Blood pressure and simple anthropometric parameter were measured. Computed tomograms in umbilical and femoral regions were performed. From serial blood samples, plasma fasting glucose and insulin, cholesterol and triglyceride were measured and atherogenic index was calculated. RESULTS: The ratio of visceral fat area and skeletal muscle area at the mid-thigh level was found to be highly correlated(R=0.965, p<0.001) and atherogenic index showed similar patterns to the waist circumference, the waist/height ratio and the waist/hip ratio. Especially, the waist/height ratio was found to be the most reliable indicator of obesity to predict atherogenic index. CONCLUSION: Although the ratio of visceral fat and skeletal muscle areas at the mid-thigh level which is measured by computed tomogram was the best indicator of visceral fat, these results proved that waist circumference and the waist/height ratio were also good indicators of the risk factors of atherosclerosis. By simple anthropometric measurements, it can help to find the remedy and preventiono of obesity in primary practices.