Cardiovascular disease risk factors in males with normal body weight and high waist-to-hip ratio.
BACKGROUND
Overweight and the distribution of body fat are both associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The relation of abdominal body fat distribution to CVD may depend on the degree of obesity.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the cardiovascular disease risk factor levels in males with high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in the absence of overweight.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of 231 male subjects (21-69 years old).


METHODS
Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, fat%, skinfolds, waist circumference, WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BPsyst, BPdiast), serum lipids and lipoproteins (CHOL, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG), glucose (GL), and physical working capacity. A questionnaire was drawn up to evaluate physical activity level and lifestyle patterns.


RESULTS
Subjects with WHR > or = 0.9, BMI < 27.0 and with WHR > or = 0.9, BMI > or = 27.0 showed statistically significant differences in all measured anthropometric and blood pressure values in comparison with the control group (WHR < 0.9, BMI < 27.0). Compared with the controls, subjects with WHR > or = 0.9, BMI > or = 27.0 had significantly higher risk (OR) for hypertension and elevated LDL-C. Physical activity was a significant determinant of the high WHR.


CONCLUSIONS
WHR has independent associations with some CVD risk factors, but the effect increases with weight.
Pihl
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Institute of Sport Pedagogy, University of Tartu, Estonia. epihl@ut.ee
Jürimäe
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T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL